Behavioral Improvement and Benefits of Traditional Martial Arts for Children Aged 7 to 12 Years

Abstract

The present study delves into the significance of traditional martial arts and how they stand apart from contemporary styles in their objectives and philosophies. This research aims to explore the distinct characteristics of traditional karate and examine how they contribute to the overall physical, social, emotional, and mental well-being of young children. However, the prime concern is to understand the benefits of traditional karate among children, including the promotion of social skills and improvements in behavior and self-regulation, particularly discipline, emotional expression, peer interaction, and self-control. The study adopts a qualitative research design, with data collected through random sampling from 30 parents of karate students enrolled in a prominent karate academy and from another 20 parents of non-karate-practicing students from different locations within the city. The data targets the age group of children between 7 and 12 years’ old who have been practicing karate for more than a year. The study explores the effects of practicing karate in different facets of everyday life as observed by the parents of karate students and instructors and the observational feedback of parents of non-karate students. This research concludes with the various benefits of karate, as observed by the parents of karate students and their instructors, and long-term observation by the author as a practitioner of traditional karate. The study elucidates the transformative power of traditional Karate in fostering positive social behavior and the promotion of self-control, discipline, and respect for others in children as young as 7 years old.