Should Kids Train in Mixed Martial Arts?

Senator John McCain called it "human cockfighting." Others have referred to it as a ferocious, no holds barred, bare-knuckled street fight. Are these accurate assessments of mixed martial arts (MMA)? And given that many people share these impressions, should children be encouraged to participate in the training?

During the past decade, MMA has become explosively popular. The sport has also become a focal point of controversy. It has polarized society into two distinct camps: those who are drawn to it and those who are horrified by it. Meanwhile, an increasing number of parents have begun enrolling their kids into mixed martial arts classes, igniting a growing surge of protests.

In this article, we'll explore the issue of whether children should train in MMA. We'll take a closer look at how society perceives the sport and the fallacy of a commonly-held fear about it. I'll explain the risks involved as well as the potential benefits young people stand to gain from participating.

Battling A Societal Trend

Critics of the sport argue that it feeds into a growing societal lust for violence. Further, they contend that encouraging young people to participate not only introduces them to that violence, but teaches them to revel in it. To be sure, mixed martial arts has earned a reputation for brutality. However, much of that reputation is due to its earliest incarnation when rules were all but non-existent. In truth, the sport has changed dramatically over the last several years.

Dispelling A Common Fear

One of the most prevalent concerns about involving kids in MMA training is that doing so creates a tendency toward violent behavior. That is, kids will become more willing to resolve problems violently. It's worth noting that this is a common fear that many parents have about karate, Aikido, and Taekwondo classes. However, evidence has shown that such training has the opposite effect.

Rather than encouraging violence, mixed martial arts training inspires discipline and respect. As one 8-year-old MMA student recently explained to the popular television show 20/20, "We're not in there to hurt each other. We're all friends here. We're just in there to have fun and learn."

Risk Of Injury

Critics also argue that there is an increased likelihood of serious injury during MMA training. This claim requires a closer inspection of the sport. Indeed, there is a risk of injury involved. But, it's important to place this risk in the proper context. According to statistics released by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), basketball, baseball, cycling, and football resulted in nearly 1 million child emergency room visits in 1998 alone. Other youth sports were responsible for hundreds of thousands more.

This is not to suggest that mixed martial arts for kids is without risk. Rather, my point is to clarify that all sports involve an element of risk for children. Presuming that MMA presents an extreme hazard is inconsistent with existing evidence.

How Young People Benefit

As noted above, kids tend to develop a stronger sense of discipline and respect as a result of participating in mixed martial arts classes. And while there will always be individual children who stray from the norm, most will never use their fighting skills outside the gym. In fact, they're taught to avoid doing so.

Should you enroll your kids in MMA training? It's a matter of preference given your goals and those of your child. The important thing to realize is that much of the fear that surrounds the sport is baseless. Like all martial arts training, it can help children develop physically, mentally, and emotionally.