What the hell?!?

[Tsukiyumi]

This has nothing to do with teaching kids any of the values of martial arts. "Learning self-defense" is a lame and transparent excuse for this guy to keep doing what he's doing to his daughter. Muay Thai, on which kickboxing is based, is a brutal, banal, often deadly spectator sport - NOT a martial art that teaches discipline, composure and physical fitness. Now, it's fun to watch when performed by experienced, trained fighters who are OVER the age of consent... but what this guy, and the others like him, have done should be considered tantamount to physical and emotional abuse.

I'm not saying I'd force my kids to compete in deathsports, Mikey, I'm just saying that the sooner they can defend themselves, the better, especially girls (no offense to the women here, men are just better designed to smash things). I already stated the need for head protection at least, and I'm totally against any monetary gain from these bouts. As you know, there are no rules in real fights, and I'd prefer my children to be familiar enough with real techniques to defend themselves properly.

EDIT: Thai kickboxing is serious business. But, so are jujitsu, aikido, judo, and kempo... All are dangerous, but is it that much different from letting a kid learn rock climbing or kayaking?

[Teaos]

If its done safetly and the kids want to sure. If not... a crying little girl is a good sign she doesnt want to do it.

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

Holy shit...

What a tool. I'd say something more, but...

This is truly sick. And no headgear? Does he want her to get brain damage???

Five years old and learning kickboxing... And not for self-defense, and calling for knockouts...

I need a plane ticket and baseball bat, please.

[Mikey]

This has nothing to do with teaching kids any of the values of martial arts. "Learning self-defense" is a lame and transparent excuse for this guy to keep doing what he's doing to his daughter. Muay Thai, on which kickboxing is based, is a brutal, banal, often deadly spectator sport - NOT a martial art that teaches discipline, composure and physical fitness. Now, it's fun to watch when performed by experienced, trained fighters who are OVER the age of consent... but what this guy, and the others like him, have done should be considered tantamount to physical and emotional abuse.

I'm not saying I'd force my kids to compete in deathsports, Mikey, I'm just saying that the sooner they can defend themselves, the better, especially girls (no offense to the women here, men are just better designed to smash things). I already stated the need for head protection at least, and I'm totally against any monetary gain from these bouts. As you know, there are no rules in real fights, and I'd prefer my children to be familiar enough with real techniques to defend themselves properly.

EDIT: Thai kickboxing is serious business. But, so are jujitsu, aikido, judo, and kempo... All are dangerous, but is it that much different from letting a kid learn rock climbing or kayaking?

I know you wouldn't, Tsukiyumi. I'm just saying that "teaching self-defense" is NOT what's going on in this case.

[Tsukiyumi]

I know you wouldn't, Tsukiyumi. I'm just saying that "teaching self-defense" is NOT what's going on in this case.

I agree. If the kid doesn't want to compete, the guy has no business treating her like that. I'd suggest he keep hitting the weights, 'cause there is going to be a long line of people wanting to knock his block off.

[mwhittington]

This has nothing to do with teaching kids any of the values of martial arts. "Learning self-defense" is a lame and transparent excuse for this guy to keep doing what he's doing to his daughter. Muay Thai, on which kickboxing is based, is a brutal, banal, often deadly spectator sport - NOT a martial art that teaches discipline, composure and physical fitness. Now, it's fun to watch when performed by experienced, trained fighters who are OVER the age of consent... but what this guy, and the others like him, have done should be considered tantamount to physical and emotional abuse.

Oh, I agree, this guy should never have had kids in the first place. And you're right about muay thai, it is brutal, and then having her compete for money...instead of a baseball bat, Striker, how about a power drill behind the kneecaps?

[Duskofdead]

There's a difference between teaching kids how to defend themselves and shoving them into a boxing ring at the age of five.

You'd be surprised how much parents living vicariously through their parents is nearing dangerous obsession here in the U.S. I can't even recall how many "story of the day" video clips I've seen in various online news sites where a parent attacked a KID at a school sporting event for scoring a win, or tackling their kid, or whatever the case might be. To be honest I am not a big fan of sports in general and I think part of it is the strange almost obsessive embrace of sports in the U.S. --- many cultures tend to have a sport or two they are crazy about, but in the U.S. it seems like everywhere someone is crazy about something. I think also the competitiveness is a factor. In a day and age where your kids have to routinely score straight A's and then extra curricular excellence on top of that to even stand a chance of consideration at good schools, a neurotically competitive mindset has developed amongst American parents, even starting at a young age.

[Teaos]

I think sports are important and winning should be encouraged. But I also think perants just need to let kids play and stop worrying about who's kid is the best.

[Aaron]

I think sports are important and winning should be encouraged. But I also think perants just need to let kids play and stop worrying about who's kid is the best.

That's why I don't have my kids in sports, people going overboard. Besides they seem to have more fun with a pickup street hockey game or doing circuit training in the back yard with myself than in an organised sport.

[Mikey]

When I and my dad umpired Little League baseball, we actually stopped games until abusive parents in the crowd left the field. No eight-year-old needs to be told that he sucks, or that his value is less if he doesn't win.