(edit title) Self-defense courses. Should the government finance them? Options

[*Gabriela*]

Today Aftonbladet started an online self-defense course in 6 parts, however I think that the government should pay for practical self-defense courses for all women who want it, considering the high taxes we pay here.

First lesson: hit the predator directly in the eyes while you yell NOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Hope The Local translates the whole article for you.

http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/stockholm/st...,716425,00.html

One of my male coworkers bought his girlfriend a box of pepper spray (ilegally). What do we all the others do, just learn self-defense?

[/quote]

[*Streja*]

Yeah I think so too...it can save lives and also money! The state sponsors so many weird things why not a good cause...

[*David OL*]

Answer: Go join the army and do the year national-service.

[*Streja*]

I am more likely to get harassed there than in the streets.

[*Gabriela*]

Go join the army and do the year national-service

Dear DavidOL: Not interested, I have an interesting career, so have no time for that. A course might be better for me and many other women who have a job, studies or family.

Why are you so defensive if you're not a sexual predator? (kidding) Who pays for the course is questionable but I really wanted to hear from the ladies what other options do we have when pepper spray and carrying a gun are prohibited (and probably can be used against us).

I did take some karate together with my man in Fl. but being 5'6 and 52 kilo I really don't think that I get a chance next to a viking!

[*David OL*]

Hi Gabriele: It's no wonder you need to take lessons... But with your interesting career & not having time for helping out your country, where would you possibly find the time to attend Government funded classes?? Oh, I get it... GOVERNMENT FUNDED!
But wait - you already know karate, why do you need the Government to pay for a self-defense class?? :roll:

[*Gabriela*]

Ha, ha, ha. I wasn't bragging about my karate because I'm not a black belt (I was coward and didn't want to show up with bruises at work in Fla., What would my customer's have thought?).

Don't worry about the time, you know what they say about women being able to handle multiple tasks at the same time. I work, study Svenska B, do yoga, jogging, aerobics, paint once in a while, read the local, etc. etc. I can do a short self-defense course.

Now what do you suggest I bring with me when I go jogging in the forrest?

Got to go, time for stretching.

[*David OL*]

I know what they say about time Gabriela - and time is money. So I suggest that you pay for your own course, or buy a treadmill if jogging in the forest makes you feel vulnerable.

If you are afraid of showing a few bruises and karate was not your cup of tea, what do want from a Government course? Any self-defense course that you do will have to involve some physical exertion - just like your current activities.

Ps: Time being no factor for you, then perhaps the part-time army reserve will toughen you up -- it is Government funded (just how you like it) and I'm sure you'll fit it in being a woman and all!

[dw]

Self defense courses are a waste of money. While you may learn a few tricks of the trade and gain a little confidence, a year on you will have forgotten everything. The reason being, in order to maintain these skils you need to practice, practice, practice. Now, if you went 2 nights a week to a martial arts or some sort of practical self defense class on a regular basis, then could be of great benefit. But 8 or 10 classes won't do it for you, and they may even give one a false sense of confidence or security actually making matters worse, as an individual may start engaging in dangerous behaviors which before would have been avoided.

[*Gabriela*]

karate was not your cup of tea

That was then and now is now. Besides I'm not talking only for me but for many other women who might want to take such courses but can't afford them. Honestly right now I don't have the time until I finish my Svenska B, but considering that the mayority of us pay almost 40% of i.taxes the courses should be free.

in order to maintain these skils you need to practice, practice, practice

True, that's why I feel I need another course because I took karate a few years ago. At that time I was feeling very confident. The course might not hurt either, you never know if a good kick in the right place (like to the knee in order to break it up) might save someone's life.

[*Gabriela*]

LESSON 2: If you are lying under the predator, hit him in the throat or neck using your lower arm or making a fist. Don't forget yesterday lesson: hit him in the eyes also.

And remember, always yell NOOOOOOOOO, but in Swedish or might not understand, ha ha. Say NEJ, just remember to pronounce it right. I can't believe I'm joking about this, it's not funny.

[*David OL*]

Gabriela: ''Honestly right now I don't have the time until I finish my Svenska B''.
So now you don't have the time time... the truth is out! 8)

True - you do require ongoing practice to keep your skills up, as Daniel quite rightly points out. So what is your case Gabriela? That the Government should pay for endless self-defense courses for women, just because the country is highly taxed?? Gee, that will help the taxaxtion burden on us all! :shock:

You seem to be getting all the lessons you need from Aftonbladet. So let's save on those courses and save us all a lot of money, so we can put better lights on the streets so you won't feel uncomfortable...

[Andrew Robertson]

What the Shakespeare are you on about Gabriela!

The annual crime report by the Swedish police federation shows us that men are roughly three times as likely to be physically assulted (including sexual assault) than women. Men aged 18 to 30 are almost five times as likely!!!!

It was also noted that men are LESS likely than women to report physical/sexual assualt perpetrated on them.

Surely it's men who need self defence lessons?

Andrew. x

[*David OL*]

I could equate this argument to this:

Men have more accidents on the road than females, so I feel vulnerable when driving.
The government should therefore pay for a defensive driving course for all men, because we pay high taxes in this country and men earn more money than women - so we contribute more to the taxation coffers.

Do you see the stupidity in that argument?

[Andrew Robertson]

To who's contribution are you referring David? Mine or Gabriela's?

A. x.