We don’t live in a naïve world anymore. Not that we ever really did, however before you could live away from the world. If you lived in a small village or even a small town you could insulate yourself from how the world really works and still end up relatively okay. However that has all come to a halt. With modernization people and the garbage that comes with the “human race” is everywhere.
There is less and less isolation from the mad house we call a world and because of that naivety is something that is going to be punished more and more. For example different cultures result in different worlds. People who grew up in sheltered cultures, especially Western ones are usually confused by violence and the threat of it. Something that others cultures live with on a day to day basis.
There was a time where if you just told Johnny to be a nice boy he’d end up alright. The whole “use your words”, “turn the other cheek” and all that junk. Not that any of it ever worked very well, it’s just that people could believe it and follow it without getting totally screwed.
But that’s a thing of the past.
Bullying & The Modern World
We’ve always had bullies from the school yards to national stages, there always has been and always will be bullies. But we’ve also had effective ways of dealing with bullies. Whether that’s a swift right to the chin or a wave of tanks rolling across a border. We’ve known ways to deal with bullies. However things have changed now. Children are taught everything but effective ways to deal with bullies.
They are taught by appearing weaker and softer they will somehow “overcome” the bullies. Which of course leads to more intense pain. Only strength is respected. This was true on day one and it’s true on whatever the hell day we’re on now. As I age, obviously, I run into more and more people who have kids and who kids are going through the modern world’s education system. More and more of friends and readers are entering this stage of their lives and wanting advice.
Though even if you don’t have kids this is still valuable advice. I think you do your child a disservice if you don’t teach them how to fight. Life is struggle. Granted life is many things but above everything else, life is struggle. Struggle defines life and will continue to define life as long as we’re on it. Fighting teaches you to deal with struggle as well a nuisances like bullies.
Though frowned on I remember my father and grandfather telling me that if anyone ever bullied me, god forbid ever laid their hands on me that I was to not hesitate to crack them. Now I’m not saying this should be a kid’s first reaction but they must have it in their back pocket to get through today’s world.
You can forge your child into a zebra and send them into a world of lions. You have to give them teeth and fangs. Teach them responsibility and how to use such things are the right time but they still need to have them. A declawed cat does not last long in the wild.
Psychology Benefits Of Controlled Fighting
Teaching you kids to fight also builds resiliency in them, resiliency that so many are lacking. And by fighting let me make it clear I mean in a well structured and organized environment a MMA/BJJ/boxing gym or the like. Not having them fight each other in the back yard unsupervised. This has to be done in a proper and controlled manner, with adults around to guide and lead the young.
But when done properly there are few things that’ll build resiliency and toughness like fighting. Despite what many think it also teaches you to think and shows you quickly there are consequences for wrong ways of thinking or being slack in your work. So much of the harsh lessons of life can be learned on the mat, cave, or ring without the hardship that comes with learning these things later.
Toughness is a non-negotiable in this life. The ring/mat/cage will do more for a child’s development then schooling ever did. aside from the benefits of seeing human nature first hand and getting experience with how people work. This life is tough and it’s even tougher when you show weakness or are taught to give in. I’m not saying violence should be the first answer, it shouldn’t.
But without capability of violence and the strength that comes with, you’re setting your children up to always at the mercy of others. And given what human nature is, that should be a horrifying thought. So teach you kids to fight in a controlled in a healthy environment. Teach them to respect violence and develop strength.
You’ll be doing them a huge favor if you do.
If anything I said here interests you I’d highly recommend you check out The Ultimate Alpha Collection which is a compilation of 16 of my books for the price of 5. It covers everything from being a man to making money to getting the right mindset to getting girls to fighting and more and is a resource no man should be without. Pick up your copy today!
-Charles Sledge
