A Book That Could Never Be Published Today...

[SteyrAUG]

Teach Your Boy Self-Defense and Self-Confidence by Bruce Tegner.





There was a time when children were taught to stand up for themselves, weren't encouraged to "comply" with aggressors or to try and understand the motivations of bullies. They were taught never to start fights, but that there were worse things than a bloody nose, like being ashamed of yourself for letting others abuse you.

Children were taught to have confidence in their ability to look after themselves and had the self respect that came with it. They understood that simplistic notions such as "fighting never solves anything" don't work in the real world where you have to deal with aggressive and predatory individuals.

But sadly that kind of thinking was in 1961.

[lunchbox]

I'd let my kids read it. I plan on enrolling my daughters in martial arts classes when they get older, and also plan on encouraging her to stand up for her self/others. Edit: and teaching her to shoot goes without saying.

[SteyrAUG]

I'd let my kids read it. I plan on enrolling my daughters in martial arts classes when they get older, and also plan on encouraging her to stand up for her self/others. Edit: and teaching her to shoot goes without saying.

Probably everyone here would let their kids read it, and read books intended for adults on the subject. But I doubt anyone would publish a book like that today. It goes completely against all the "work with a bully" guidelines that most people, including school boards promote these days.

[Ed L.]

I have that book from when I was a kid and a bunch of other Bruce Tegner books. Some of the language in that book was specifically written for a boy without talking down to him. A lot of practical things in Bruce Tegner's books.

[lunchbox]

Probably everyone here would let their kids read it, and read books intended for adults on the subject. But I doubt anyone would publish a book like that today. It goes completely against all the "work with a bully" guidelines that most people, including school boards promote these days.

Agree to an extent. I defiantly agree that certain books get the advertising/publicity/push and books that don't flow with the mainstream get push under. But $ is $, if there's enough of a demand, people will find a way to supply. Look at movies; of course big hits make all the mega bucks with trailers every commercial break and new toy in happy meals, but usually suck. But underground/independent/B-flick (<this almost proves my point, how B-movies have somehow thrived is beyond me) still trickle thru with great demand by a loyal following (I mean sharknado... Really?!? And the second one). Martial arts in General have a lot of loyal followers, and while you'll never see a MA book in a HS library, I don't think there will ever be a shortage of artist willing to spread knowledge of the arts. Not to mention with the unfortunate transition away from papered books, the net can be an equalizer. YouTube, Twitter, etc. all give people a platform to advertise/sell their product/image.
Maybe I'm not saying I disagree, as more of I hope your wrong and the lay down and take it doctrine doesn't win. That's why I let my $ be just as political as me, only supporting (thru commerce) company's/charities/events that are in line with my views.

[HackerF15E]

There was a time when children were taught to stand up for themselves, weren't encouraged to "comply" with aggressors or to try and understand the motivations of bullies. They were taught never to start fights, but that there were worse things than a bloody nose, like being ashamed of yourself for letting others abuse you.

Children were taught to have confidence in their ability to look after themselves and had the self respect that came with it. They understood that simplistic notions such as "fighting never solves anything" don't work in the real world where you have to deal with aggressive and predatory individuals.

But sadly that kind of thinking was in 1961.

Definitely correct that type of thinking is going away in mainstream American cultural thought.

Unfortunately for the future-pussified generations of Americans, that type of thought is NOT gone in other parts of the world.

[SteyrAUG]

Agree to an extent. I defiantly agree that certain books get the advertising/publicity/push and books that don't flow with the mainstream get push under. But $ is $, if there's enough of a demand, people will find a way to supply. Look at movies; of course big hits make all the mega bucks with trailers every commercial break and new toy in happy meals, but usually suck. But underground/independent/B-flick (<this almost proves my point, how B-movies have somehow thrived is beyond me) still trickle thru with great demand by a loyal following (I mean sharknado... Really?!? And the second one). Martial arts in General have a lot of loyal followers, and while you'll never see a MA book in a HS library, I don't think there will ever be a shortage of artist willing to spread knowledge of the arts. Not to mention with the unfortunate transition away from papered books, the net can be an equalizer. YouTube, Twitter, etc. all give people a platform to advertise/sell their product/image.
Maybe I'm not saying I disagree, as more of I hope your wrong and the lay down and take it doctrine doesn't win. That's why I let my $ be just as political as me, only supporting (thru commerce) company's/charities/events that are in line with my views.

Well I can remember seeing book by Mas Oyama not only in my High School library, but similar books in my Junior High library. Once upon a time and all of that.

And while there are "self defense for children" books being published, the mindset promoted is very, very different. They are more of a how to try and run away from, reason with or befriend your bully kind of books. The only thing of any real value is a small helping of situational awareness instruction.

I don't think you'll ever see another book written specifically with children in mind that teaches them how to stand up to a bully and fight.

[Dienekes]

Well, there is this: http://www.amazon.com/Little-Black-B...about+fighting

Back when I was in college I had my copy of Rex Applegate"s book, "Kill Or Get Killed" up on the book shelf with my textbooks. Would that have counted?

[lunchbox]

This one even advocates the use of dirty fighting https://www.google.com/#q=standing+u...40287001957145
But the MA bully books are greatly out numbered by the non-MA, no surprise there.

[markm]

I'm more into Tolerance and Awareness books.