Secondly there are some jobs and occupations such as law enforcement and corrections officer where you better have some skill, knowledge, and ability to defend yourself. In those occupations those skills are sometimes needed and required rather than just drawing your side arm and pulling the trigger or swinging that billy club or that side-handle baton. Even if you don't work in one of those occupations there might come a time when you have to rely on your skills, knowledge, and ability and then they will come in handy if your training has been good and your skills and knowledge of a high standard. This and the other health and welfare aspects of doing and training martial arts are a plus I think and so I think you should not look at it from only the limited aspect that you ask about here in your question. I am over 60 years old, in better shape physically and look 15-20 years younger than those my age and am not on countless prescriptions and going to the doctor every 3-6 months like many of my friends. Martial arts and working out is the reason why.
Not "useless".
For starters, not everyone is interested in using martial arts primarily for self-defense. My father started karate primarily for fitness reasons. I've known people who have taken up Aikido because it related to their Zen studies, or European Medieval swordsmanship because of an historical interest. In cases like that, martial arts fills a very specific niche.
Now on the subject of self-defense, the fact is that not every confrontation involves a weapon. In fact, many don't. Even if they do, most happen at close range, where even a not-ideal martial arts technique can be employed to SOME effect.
The only real advantage "technology" has that would neutralize martial arts completely is range. You can't knock out someone who's sniping you from 50 yards away. You can't choke out a car bomb. But most people aren't attacked like that. Even on the battlefield, soldiers find themselves in hand-to-hand situations.
Martial arts have many uses up to and including self-defense. The techniques are important, but also your ability to react efficiently to threatening situations. If a trained martial artist enters a situation where a person with poor reflexes attempts to use a weapon, there is a chance for escape, as well as disarming/preventing the person from using their weapon. Modern technology (just like martial arts) is a tool that when trained well leads to efficiency. But you have to maintain competency. Someone who simply carries a weapon isn't necessarily at an advantage by having that tool alone.
Now this isn't to say one should go around looking for trouble or putting themselves in danger, but martial arts and weapons are last resorts for deescalation. It may also help to train in both armed and unarmed combat too.
No, it is even more relevant in today's society where most people live in a state of false security. The true benefits of martial art training lies not in the specific techniques for fighting, but in its usefulness in developing awareness, calmness, and fitness in order to recognize potential dangers, having the flexibility of mind/will to adapt, and maintaining physical/mental well being.
Many people think just owning a gun is enough to protect oneself. But no gun in the world is going to help you if you don't see the danger coming at you. No amount of firepower is going to help you if you do not have the will and fortitude to use that weapon. When your heart is racing 1000 beats a minute and your hands are shaking like crazy, you are in no shape to defend yourself regardless of what weapons you have.
I am a gun owner and I practice shooting as diligently as I practice martial art. The gun is the tool, but martial art gives me the mindset to use that tool if necessary. Martial art gives me the ability and option to use the appropriate force or take the appropriate action to either avoid, defuse, or face a threatening situation.
Furthermore, it is the inherent nature of all governments to be more intrusive and acquire more power at the expense of the liberties of the citizenry. This means as time passes, the very idea of self-defense will be eroded as it is in many countries and in some states in the US where the law restricts self-defense to such as narrowly defined scenario that it is all but impossible for the average person to legally defend themselves without being in violation of some fine points in the law. But even if all legal self-defense is made impossible, it is still within your capability to avoid a potential danger IF you are aware of it and therefore the avoidance of danger can still be your self-defense.
Kendo is a martial art and yet people practice for reasons that have nothing to do with Self defecen or fighting, so no MA are not useless.
Are discipline, focus, a willingness to work so as to achieve one's goals, respecting one's self and all others and learning of one's true self worthless in today's society?
Wakarimasu, tomodachi?
here is a list of some martial artist and what they looked like in old age. Few that don't practice will maintain their health like martial artists. As for self-defense, how often do rational people carry weapons around and if you do, you cannot take them everywhere.
http://karatedr.com/karate-and-healthy-a...
NO.
A short answer for an easy question.
Stick with martial arts then in your late 30's look at you and the guy who told you martial arts was useless. Guarantee you will be healthier and probably a happier life.
Taekwondo will only make you a proficient "kicker" and Taekwondo is not even the best kicking style, so I would not really on it for realistic self defense. I think you need to train in a more realistic fighting system like BJJ, wrestling, Sambo, Muay Thai, boxing, or Krav Maga. As far as attacks go, more and more violent criminals are using guns than ever before, so when you turn 21 you might want to get a hand gun and a Concealed Carry Permit.
I am 16 (currently training in the art of Tae Kwon-Do for over a year now), and after attending a camp and making new friends, I was told that martial arts was useless in today's society (regarding modern technology and weaponry). This question has been running through my head for a while now, and I can't help but ask for other people's opinions. Although I love martial arts with all of my heart, and have always hoped to train in other types of martial arts in the future, I want everyone's honest opinion towards the question.
People train in martial arts for many reasons. So if you look beyond the fighting aspect they're not only useful, but very important.
Look at the incredible popularity of TKD. Many of us consider it a very ineffective martial art because of the way it's taught. So from a self defense standpoint TKD is not a good choice if that's your primary goal. But if exercise, making friends, entrainment etc are important to you then it can be very rewarding.
I study Uechi Ryu which isn't a very popular martial art, and one of the benefits besides it being an effective art (if taught correctly) is that we're a small community and very close. Hence most Uechi folks become very good friends. And that's very important to some of us.
And to answer what I think you're really asking. Most adults don't fight. And most don't use weapons if they do. So knowing a martial art gives you an advantage in the rare case that you need to fight. Likewise, knowing how to use a weapon and having it with you also gives you advantage. But they also give you more responsibility and legal obligations than someone untrained or unarmed.
tae-kwon-do is pathetic in a street fight, you should try krav maga
