Karate Girl

After watching the Karate kid, I couldn’t help but think how amazing it would be if I were to learn Chinese martial arts. However, we need to look at this subject from another aspect: social deviance. As soon as someone mentions Kung Fu or Wushu people immediately get the imagery of the famous Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan, but not Cynthia Rothrock or Michelle Yeoh. People probably don’t even know who they are. Rothrock and Yeoh are the female legends of Kung Fu, but why aren’t they given the same attention as Lee and Chan?

I believe that it is because martial arts are always considered masculine and more appropriate for men. Not many people would go see a Kung fu movie staring a woman who can beat up men and save the world. When I was growing up, all of my four brothers went to Kung fu classes. While I was forced to take art lessons they were learning cool techniques and moves, and showing them off at home. Being the only girl amongst them, I felt left out and wanted to be a part of their group. When I asked my mother why wasn’t I allowed to take a martial arts class her answer was simple “because you are a girl, and you don’t need to.”

But let us think about it, women get verbally harassed, raped and murdered by men on a daily basis. If women are taught self-defense we would be able to restore some peace around here. Instead, we are encouraging men to learn martial arts and prohibiting women from learning self-defense. What kind of social norm is that?

When I told my mother that I am considering taking a Kung fu class now, she said that I need to find better things to do with my life. When I talked to a couple of my close friends they had the same attitude towards this idea. One of them even told me that I need to get over that as soon as possible, because apparently women who know how to physically defend themselves are considered social deviants.