"Back Off Buddy, This Is My Body, Not Yours": Empowering Girls Through Self-Defense. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jordan, Jan; Mossman, Elaine
• Is Part Of: Violence against women. Volume 24:Number 13(2018)
• Page Start: 1591
• Page End: 1613
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: self-defense -- girls -- empowerment -- school programs -- evaluation research; Abused women -- Periodicals; Women -- Crimes against -- Periodicals; Violent crimes -- Periodicals; Femmes victimes de violence -- Périodiques; Femmes, Crimes contre les -- Périodiques; Crimes violents -- Périodiques; 362.8292
• DOI: 10.1177/1077801217741217
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1077-8012

Abstract

Although growing recognition is being given to the benefits of teaching self-defense skills to college women, very little research attention has considered the impacts of providing such courses to school-aged girls. This article presents the findings from a large-scale evaluation of self-defense programs provided to three different age groups of schoolgirls from diverse backgrounds in New Zealand, drawing on survey responses from the girls themselves, supplemented by qualitative data provided by key informant interviews with their school and self-defense teachers. The findings provide clear evidence of the many positive benefits that can result for girls of all ages who participate in feminist self-defense courses taught by carefully trained instructors with a strong empowerment focus.