TAEKWONDO AS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL FOR BULLYING PREVENTION

Nowadays, bullying has become a serious problem that affects children and adolescents around the world. This aggressive and repetitive behavior can have devastating consequences on the mental and emotional health of people who suffer from it.

According to a survey [1] conducted in 2022, approximately 35% of American parents with children under the age of 18 say they are very concerned about the possibility of their children being bullied at some point and another 39% are somewhat concerned about it.

The effects of bullying can be devastating on children/adolescents and can last into adult life. Simply put, bullying can completely ruin a person’s life.

Some research yielded the following conclusions; [2]

Victims of bullying suffer a number of negative effects, including behavioral problems, poor mental health, and poor physical health (Biebl, DiLalla, Davis, Lynch, & Shinn, 2011; Bond, Carlin, Thomas, Rubin, & Patton, 2001; Turner, Finkelhor, & Ormrod, 2010).

In a recent longitudinal study, Turner (2010) administered surveys to a group of 1,000 young people aged 10 to 17 years. They found a significant positive correlation between children and adolescents who had been victimized in the past year of completing the survey and high levels of depressive symptoms. Bond and colleagues (2001) found that bullying correlated with poor mental health in adolescents (i.e., anxiety and depression) up to two years after the onset of bullying. Other researchers found that bullying was associated with adjustment problems among young children and adolescents (Arseneault et al., 2006).

Research in the field of neuropsychology has also looked at the effects of peer victimization on children and adolescents. In a recent study, researchers linked bullying to physiological changes in the body. They looked at cortisol levels (a hormone that is released in our brains during times of stress) in victims of bullying and non-victims and found that the victims showed a similar characteristic to people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), in that when exposed to stress they actually release lower amounts of cortisol than individuals in a control group (Vaillancourt,   Hymel, & McDougall, 2010). In a different study, Vaillancourt and colleagues found a causal relationship between bullying and memory levels. Researchers found that victims of bullying had lower memory functioning than non-victims over a 2-year period (Vaillancourt et al., 2011). Data from these studies provide evidence of the negative and long-term implications of bullying that are often not externally visible.

In early adulthood, researchers found that childhood victimization “was a predictor of negative health, financial, behavioral, and social outcomes in adulthood” (Wolke et al., 2013, p. 1967). In this same study, these researchers found that those who were bullied as children were often bullied as adults as well.

One of the most effective solutions to both prevent bullying and correct bullies is Taekwondo, especially the ATA Taekwondo program.

 

Confidence and Self-Esteem:

One of the main ways martial arts can help combat bullying is through the development of confidence and self-esteem. Children and teens who practice martial arts learn to overcome physical and mental challenges, which gives them a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence. As they gain skills and progress in their training, their self-esteem grows. Not only does this make them less likely to be targeted by bullies, but it also gives them the emotional tools to deal with difficult situations calmly and confidently.

 

Emotional Control and Stress Management

Martial arts teach students how to control their emotions and manage stress. These disciplines emphasize the importance of self-control, patience, and moderation. When a young person is bullied, it is common for them to experience feelings of anger, frustration and fear. Through martial arts training, they learn to channel these emotions constructively, allowing them to deal with bullying situations without losing control.

 

Learning to Defend Yourself Physically

While the primary focus of martial arts is not violence, these disciplines do teach students how to defend themselves if necessary. Knowing that they have the ability to protect themselves can significantly reduce the fear and anxiety that many young people feel when facing bullies. However, martial arts such as Taekwondo ATA teach students to avoid physical confrontations and to use self-defense only as a last resort.

A Swedish study conducted by Frisén and colleagues found that former victims of bullying stated that bullying stopped when they defended themselves in some way (Frisén, Hasselbald, & Holmqvist, 2012).

 

Creating a Supportive Environment

Martial arts academies are usually close-knit communities where students support each other. This sense of belonging and camaraderie can be a great support for young people who are being bullied. Having a group of friends and mentors who have their backs can make a big difference in their ability to cope with and overcome bullying.

 

Conclusion

Martial arts offer much more than combat skills; They provide a comprehensive approach to personal development that can be extremely beneficial for young people facing bullying. Through increased confidence, improved emotional control, and the creation of a supportive environment, martial arts can empower young people to resist bullying and emerge stronger from these experiences.

 

Author

Prof, Mauro Echezarreta

Instructor de Taekwondo ATA

 

 

[1] https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2023/01/24/parenting-in-america-today/

[2] Pamela Jeanne Dahle’s thesis submitted to the faculty of Brigham Young University.