Citation

Jordan J, Mossman E. Violence Against Women 2018; 24(13): 1591-1613.

Affiliation

Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1077801217741217

PMID

29332556

Abstract

Although growing recognition is being given to the benefits of teaching self-defense skills to college women, very little research attention has considered the impacts of providing such courses to school-aged girls. This article presents the findings from a large-scale evaluation of self-defense programs provided to three different age groups of schoolgirls from diverse backgrounds in New Zealand, drawing on survey responses from the girls themselves, supplemented by qualitative data provided by key informant interviews with their school and self-defense teachers. The findings provide clear evidence of the many positive benefits that can result for girls of all ages who participate in feminist self-defense courses taught by carefully trained instructors with a strong empowerment focus.

Language: en

Keywords

empowerment; evaluation research; girls; school programs; self-defense