Bullying and violence are rampant in the world today. Indeed, they are among the most critical issues facing our children. Unfortunately, young people are victimized more than any other age group and thus face a significant risk of harm. In the USA juveniles are one-tenth of the population, but they are victims in one out of every four violent crimes. In other countries where violence is rising, children face similar hazards.

What causes conflict?

Conflict is created mainly by "conditioning." That is, behavior that has been "programmed" into people so they react in predetermined, habitual ways. Individually this behavior shows up when a child has been victimized and in turn becomes a bully. This is learned behavior. This behavior, if left to its own, will cause problems in adult life creating social and even intentional violence.

What can martial arts instructors do to help their young students cope with conflict?

The Instructors can help their students by seeking out professional assistance from properly trained persons who can help them teach their children a comprehensive program on conflict education, one that helps young people to not only resolve conflict, but to avoid it before it becomes one.

Why do parents send their children to martial arts schools?

Parents are concerned with the proliferation of violence in schools and in society. The most recent statistics from the Department of Justice indicate that twenty-five percent of children are fearful of being attacked in school. A survey conducted in 1994 of 204 middle and high school students in several Midwestern communities indicated that seventy-five percent of those surveyed said they had been bullied. Bullying is also a serious issue in other countries. In Japan in 1996 a national crisis arose due to bullying amongst children. Bullying not only affects the lives of our children, but also sets a pattern for adult life. Gang-related violence is a form of bullying as is global conflict. In other words, bullying needs to be addressed. Parents are beginning to realize that bullying is the number one problem that their children are facing. They know that their children need creative skills to deal with bullies and conflict, they need a program that gives them the ability to avoid and resolve conflict before it becomes physical.

What is Martial Arts for Peace®?

Martial Arts for Peace® was developed over 40 years ago by Dr. Webster-Doyle, martial artist and former school teacher and principal, to help children cope with the bullying and conflict that they are experiencing in their lives. Dr. Webster-Doyle has written numerous books and curricula for children to assist martial arts instructors and school teachers in teaching children the skills to deal with bullies and conflict. Realizing that martial arts has the potential to teach children not only physical arts to defend themselves but also the mental martial arts to stop a conflict before it starts. Dr. Webster-Doyle, through the assistance of the Atrium Society® (a non-profit organization), raised funds to create these programs and materials which are now being used by martial arts instructors and school teachers in United States and internationally.

What does Martial Arts for Peace® teach children?

Martial Arts for Peace® teaches children how to cope with conflict in healthy, non-violent ways by:
1. gaining and understanding of the causes of violence.
2. developing skills to resolve conflict nonviolently.
3. having the confidence not to fight.

Does Martial Arts for Peace® include physical training for children to deal with conflict?

The Martial Arts for Peace® Program helps young people cope with conflict at all levels which includes the physical level. This is called A.R.M.™ which is successful when taught only as a whole:
1. Avoid—to avoid conflict by understanding it.
2. Resolve—to resolve conflict by Mental Self-Defense™.
3. Manage—to manage conflict by the humane application of physical self-defense, if need be.

Why is teaching children the physical martial arts not enough to help children with conflict?

Physical self-defense has a place in giving students the confidence to be able to defend themselves when conflict gets to that level, which is AFTER it becomes a physical confrontation. But the intention of the Martial Arts for Peace® Program is to stop conflict BEFORE it becomes one, that is to avoid and therefore prevent it. And this takes training in the Mental Self-Defense,™ the other half of a complete educational endeavor, encompassing the physical, mental and emotional aspects of being human.

Why can teaching the physical martial arts alone, without the Mental Self-Defense™ component, be dangerous to children?

Teaching only the physical self-defense skills to young people reinforces the conventional conditioned attitude that conflict is resolved by violent means. Also, young people having been taught primarily physical self-defense skills think that they have the ability to resolve conflict before it becomes physical. (But they only have the physical skills, and not all conflicts can be resolved with these skills.)

What is Mental Self-Defense?™

The conventional martial arts teacher has primarily been trained as a self-defense instructor and sports coach, having skills and training to teach students to defend themselves and to enjoy the sport aspect of the martial arts. But now, in the natural evolution of the martial arts, from being primarily a self-defense and a sport, we are developing Mental Self-Defense Training™ for martial arts teachers in the educational aspects of the martial arts, that is, how to use reason intelligently to cope with brutal aggression before it escalates into confrontation. Martial Arts for Peace "Educators" are getting the Mental Self-Defense Training™ to be able to teach their students to understand and avoid conflict. Learning only physical self-defense defeats this intent. Whereas including Mental Self-Defense,™ learning to use the most powerful muscle in their body — their brains — children learn how to avoid conflict by employing nonviolent alternatives, instead of resorting to the limited alternatives of brute force, and possibly getting hurt physically, or running away, and feeling emotionally hurt.

What are some of the nonviolent alternatives children can use to resolve conflict?

The Martial Arts for Peace® programs contains the "12 Ways to Walk Away With Confidence" which are as follows:

1. Make Friends
2. Use Humor
3. Use Creative Imagination
4. Walk Away
5. Agree With the Bully
6. Refuse to Fight
7. Stand up to the Bully
8. Scream/Yell
9. Ignore the Threats
10. Use Authority
11. Reason With the Bully
12. Take a Martial Arts Stand

Why do martial arts instructors think a Martial Arts for Peace® Education is important?

As more and more students ask their teachers what to do before they go to the last resort of using physical violence, martial art teachers are becoming aware of the need to teach Mental Self-Defense™ skills to children to deal with conflict and to avoid being bullied. Martial arts instructors are also becoming concerned with the declining enrollment in traditional martial arts schools which only teach physical martial arts. They are becoming aware that most parents are not satisfied with physical skills alone, because they realize that their children need more verbal and mental skills to deal with the growing conflicts in our society.

Is Martial Arts for Peace® a type or style of martial arts?

Martial Arts for Peace is not a type or style of martial arts. It is an educational program which can be used in any type or style of martial arts. Instructors from different traditional styles are using the Martial Arts for Peace Programs as a supplement to their schools. These instructors train to be Martial Arts for Peace Educators in order to be qualified to use the program in their schools.

Is Martial Arts for Peace® for children or can adults participate?

Both children and adults can benefit from understanding and resolving conflict peacefully. Its never too late to learn. The main point to remember is that the martial arts is both mental and physical. One is not studying the martial arts thoroughly learning only physical self-defense skills.

What can we do?

If you are interested in Martial Arts for Peace® in your school or at home, contact us at: