Do you have a budding David Haye or Wladimir Klitschko on your hands?
Boxing is a sport I’ve always considered to be aggressive and, to be frank, dangerous. So I was alarmed to hear that in some primary schools boxing is being taught to children as young as seven. Boxing was banned in schools in the 1960s after strong opposition but was reintroduced into some schools four years ago and is now offered as part of PE lessons or as an after school club.
My daughter is seven and if I found boxing on her school timetable I’d be very concerned. To put it bluntly, I don’t want her being taught to fight. I can’t imagine it’s a sport she’d choose to take up herself so I don’t like the idea of the school introducing it to her. It could teach her moves she could use on other children and by teaching it in school it could also send out the message that it is acceptable to hit others.
So it is not something I feel at all comfortable with. But then I spoke to her headteacher to get his views on the subject. I’d expected him to be horrified at the idea and to question why schools would want to encourage the sport. In fact he said the opposite and explained to me how boxing can benefit children. Boxing lessons in schools are actually something he would actively encourage.
So I investigated further and discovered that my ideas about boxing don’t quite match the reality as the sport also has its benefits.
The benefits of boxing
Boxing teaches children discipline, self-control, improves their concentration and promotes social inclusion. Like many physical activities is also boosts fitness level, keep kids active, boosts, self-esteem and improves confidence levels. Children are also taught not to use it outside of the classroom and the importance of respecting others. In some schools it is in fact the police who are teaching children to box.
Children at Marlborough Street Primary School in Plymouth have been taught boxing skills by local police officers to teach them confidence and respect. The children are allowed to practise jabs and hooks on a heavily padded police officer but are not permitted to hit each other. It has proved to be a great way for the police to interact with the children in a positive way.
In our home county of Nottinghamshire former world boxing champion Jawaid Khaliq is giving boxing lessons to youngsters at Radford Primary School as part of an after school club. The children are working towards achieving an Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) Boxing Award and already improvements in discipline are being reported. As well as learning to box in a safe environment the children are also learning fitness techniques.
Health concerns
Despite the benefits of boxing it still carries health risks. The British Medical Association is campaigning for a total ban on both amateur and professional boxing in the UK and has previously distributed leaflets to schools and sports clubs outlining its concerns. The organisation also believes there should be a ban on children below the age of consent from boxing. Their strong opposition is based on medical evidence that reveals the risk of acute injury and also the risk of chronic brain damage caused by the recurrent blows to the head experienced by boxers at all levels, including amateur.
The World Medical Association also recommends that boxing be banned and considers it a dangerous sport whose basic intent is to cause bodily harm in the opponent.
Views from parents
Tara’s experience of boxing is that is about teaching self-control, much like judo and karate, and how NOT to be violent. Tara says: “I would absolutely sign my kids up. I used to train (for fitness) with a boxer many moons ago, and it was all about control, discipline and being at the peak of fitness. Most of the training was fitness based - so lots of skipping and running. I guess at the end of the day it comes down to the teacher, their background and their ethos.”
For Laura, boxing conjures up images of a violent sport and bloody squashed noses. It isn’t something she can bear to watch on television, but as she also points out : “We're not talking about boxing as a career here and it can help children with discipline and control, although there are likely to be other non-contact sports that teach the same thing.”
Emily says she would be okay with her children taking boxing lessons. Although it's not a sport she chooses to watch, Emily sees it as a skilled sport that can help children develop good co-ordination skills. Emily says: “With two extremely boisterous physical sons who like to play fight together a lot I can totally see why they'd enjoy something like this. As a completely non-aggressive female it can be hard to understand. I think there's a big difference between controlled contact sport (such as my sons have rugby lessons) and mindless violence.”
What do you think?
I can see the benefits that boxing offers to children but I’d prefer these skills taught through martial arts such as Tai Chi or non-contact sports, rather than through children being taught to throw a punch.
What do you think?
Find out more
For further information visit:
British Amateur Boxing Association
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16 Comments
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editor
04 July, 2011
Thanks for such a thoughtful and comprehensive post, Rosie. I think my thoughts are along the same lines as yours. I can see there are benefits for children from various aspects of boxing, but the thought of them bashing each other around the head would be very scary.
mum
04 July, 2011
My sons will probably bash each other around the head anyway. If there were boxing classes here, I'd sign them up.
editor
04 July, 2011
Fair point well made Ellen....
04 July, 2011
Rosie, I absolutely agree with you on this one. There are non contact sports kids can learn that teach them about discipline and self control. I wouldn't let my two boys learn boxing, I think it is dangerous and aggressive and I think it is wrong for schools, especially primary schools to be encouraging this sport. Especially when sports like martial arts can teach the same skills in a non aggressive, non contact way.
expert
04 July, 2011
I do BodyCombat (martial arts aerobics) and made the mistake of showing my kids some of the punch and kick techniques and they promptly started whacking each other. Bit shortsighted on my part! But then they went to their own martial arts classes and loved it - so much more interesting than PE classes at school and a great way to blow off steam. I don't think I'd be keen on my children doing a contact sport, but anything that encourages an interest in activity is worth considering.
04 July, 2011
Gosh, I'm actually having a debate with myself on this one! One on hand, like others, if it teaches control, self discipline and fitness, and lets them let off steam, then that's great. On the other hand, the thought of someone hitting my son intentionally makes me want to wrap him in cotton wool and never let him out of my sight. I'm really split on this one I have to say. Need some more time to think about it!
mum
04 July, 2011
I'm really split on this one too. I can really understand all the benefits but I hate watching it as a sport and still feel it is better for much older children - perhaps secondary school. My son does karate and I love the discipline it teaches - the politeness, the bowing beforehand, the skill, the graceful agility. Boxing has a long way to go in my mind to remove it from the image it has on TV of grown men giving each other brain injuries, biting ears, and a bloodthirsty crowd. I'm not sure I would sign my children up for classes.
04 July, 2011
I really disagree with boxing - even more than I do fox hunting - and I was really disappointed when my husband listened to the fight on Saturday night. There are millions of ways children can learn confidence and self control, they don't have to be taught how to bash each other for that. Same with the argument that boxing gives working class boys a way to gain wealth - so what? So does drug dealing, stealing car stereos or selling their bodies - doesn't mean it should be legal. You only have to look at Michael Watson, Frank Bruno or Muhammed Ali to see how damaging boxing can be.
Besides, as I just said on twitter, if someone was punching my baby in the face, I don't think I'd be able to stop myself climbing in the ring to box their ears!
04 July, 2011
I really disagree with boxing - even more than I do fox hunting - and I was really disappointed when my husband listened to the fight on Saturday night. There are millions of ways children can learn confidence and self control, they don't have to be taught how to bash each other for that. Same with the argument that boxing gives working class boys a way to gain wealth - so what? So does drug dealing, stealing car stereos or selling their bodies - doesn't mean it should be legal. You only have to look at Michael Watson, Frank Bruno or Muhammed Ali to see how damaging boxing can be.
Besides, as I just said on twitter, if someone was punching my baby in the face, I don't think I'd be able to stop myself climbing in the ring to box their ears!
04 July, 2011
I understand your concerns but I know an ex pro boxer who is working with schools and has set up box clever, it is all about non contact boxing training for both boys and girls from age five upwards, and is great for combating anti social behaviour, and promotes discipline, respect, loyalty, instills confidence, self esteem, and helps tackle obesity with the solid fitness program which is built in - surely this can only be a good thing ?? x
admin
04 July, 2011
Your post is a real eye-opener Rosie! I too have always been against boxing and viewed it as a very aggressive sport, but I can also see some logic in the views you've shared above. Thanks for a very insightful post.
Leigh
Ready for Ten Team
04 July, 2011
My son started a boxing class called Boxclever in January of this year, he's 11 and had very low self esteem, lack of confidence and was being bullied constantly at school.. He started doing a class once a week and he now goes 3 times a week and its the best thing he's ever done. He now has lots more confidence, joins in with other kids, looks forward to constant challenges either personal to himself or team challenges and he's quite happily go 7 days a week if he possibly could. The kids arent there to box each other, its all non contact, fitness, and gives them self achievements and confidence and more importantly fun........
editor
05 July, 2011
Sounds like there is some wonderful work being done in boxing classes, thank you Claire, Jo and Joanne for letting us know more about the very positive aspects. Good luck with it all!
05 July, 2011
First of all, what a well written article!
I thought I might offer a Dad's viewpoint.
There seems to me (not an expert) two types of boxing:
Olympic Style - where boxers are protected with head guards, and the winner is chosen on points rather than knockouts. The speed, skill,and levels of fitness are what matters. And,
Prize fighting - the likes of which we saw the other day. Two grown men trying to punch each other's lights out. As commented above, there are numerous and very sad examples that display the devastating cost of continually getting punched in the head.
I have NO doubt that boxing can bring benefits to children. But so can any sport. And many (probably most) other sports are a lot safer.
Something my Dad used to say to me has stayed with me throughout my life. "there is too much punching in the world"
I agree!
Bob
21 July, 2011
I am a aba boxing coach & have been for some time & i work with all ages i have 3 sons that train & 2 box i train full & non contact i work with schools & police our club takes 60 kids off the street 3 nights a week our members have got fitter built confidence & respect for others & we are proud of that !!!!!!!!!.some of our members play other sports and get more injurys eg rugby, horse riding, football , motocross etc there are risks with all sports !!!!!
how many boxers in the aba have been injured this year ?? i can`t name one & i`ve been all over england & wales this year boxing training is good for kids & adults why not
27 February, 2012
I HAD MY 8 YEAR SISTER IN BOXING GLOVES SHE WAS THROWING PUNCHES N KICKS WITHIN SECONDS ITS BRILLANT FOR KIDS BOXING !