Are female martial arts masters as rare as they seem? Or are their numbers proportionate to those of female students? I don’t know the answer, but if I had to guess, here are some of the factors I would consider.
The Strength-Sensitivity Paradox
Paraphrasing Mark Twain, a martial art is something that everyone wants to know, but nobody wants to learn. The learning is arduous, occasionally painful and frequently embarrassing.
Having reached the limit of their endurance, students are sometimes tempted to abandon the principal objective, and start playing to win instead of investing in loss. Practically speaking, this means using strength and speed to “fill in the gaps”, or compensate for inferior technique.
The use of excessive strength and speed interferes with cultivation of sensitivity, precision, coordination and efficiency. But how can this be so, if no martial artist wishes it to be so? Cannot we have our cake whilst eating it too? Therein lies the paradox, or irony, if you will.
Women Learn Faster, But Men Go Further?
I have attended classes where men outnumber women 10-to-1, and I have attended classes where women outnumber men; in both environments, the average female student seemed to absorb and master new material faster than the average male.
I have a few theories to explain this. First, women are relatively less tempted to muscle through poorly executed technique, because they have relatively less muscle to use; thus, the only route to success is through correct technique. Second, women have different expectations and priorities in training; specifically, they are less inclined to mistake the classroom for a no-holds-barred fighting arena, and place less value on the bragging rights acquired by beating other students.
If earning a reputation as “the best female Kempo fighter in town” is roughly equivalent to becoming the hungriest midget in a pie-eating contest, then why even bother?
Credit: StuSeeger
Despite all this, the male gender holds a trump card: willingness to expend overwhelming effort towards mastery of an impractical skill. Am I right, ladies and gentlemen?
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28 responses so far ↓
1
Jarrod - Warrior Development
// Jun 22, 2008
I would say there are a few reasons why there seem to be fewer senior female martial artists than male.
One is the same reason as why more men take up martial arts than women, there does not seem to the same desire for power, assertiveness, strength in both genders.
When I say senior I am thinking in terms of doing martial arts for 50 odd years. I think most societies were very male dominated and not receptive to female expression back in the 50’s and 60’s. Even though it was probably more open than in the 10’s it was definately not as accepted as it is now.
2
Rick Matz
// Jun 23, 2008
I would amend your paraphrase of Mark Twain.
A martial art is something everyone wants to TEACH, but not learn.
3
Chris
// Jun 23, 2008
Jarrod,
Show me a male-dominated society, and I’ll show you a society of eunuchs. There are just too many ways to exert force.
Rick,
Yes,
Everyone wants to teach, but nobody wants to be taught.
4
karrie
// Jul 1, 2008
You know, this is a good question. I have trained in karate for nine years and it has taken me that long to really begin to understand all of the complexities of that MA. We have a higher ratio of men to women in our dojo and most often than not it’s the women that drop out first. Why? Could it be the style is too aggressive for their liking? Could it be that there are too many men in the class and therefore they feel intimidated? For me I have never been intimidated by the men in class, but I am a strong female (both in mind and body. Don’t mistake that statement for bragging, BTW). What I have seen is that the strong females last. Those with a strong drive go further. I don’t know the real answer to that question. Women have far less to “prove” than men; we don’t have a tendency to want to show our peacock feathers (no harm intended….) and since MA has a tendency to draw upon those types of men the women just don’t want to waste their time.
5
Kali Filipino martial arts
// Jul 2, 2008
i do believe in this: “Women Learn Faster, But Men Go Further”
no offense meant.
6
Thomas
// Jul 3, 2008
I’m agreeing with Karrie, there are definitely women out there, and all the women that I train with are very strong in both skills and character. Those that come tend to stay, while the men seem to have a much higher rate or rotation. My judo coach is a woman, and is definitely one of, if not the, best judoka I’ve ever seen.
7
Gareth
// Jul 8, 2008
My instructor is a woman and is very good, is a pity that female instructors are hard to come by. I have just opened a club in the UK and could do with a female instructor or assistant instructor
8
Martial arts warrior
// Jul 14, 2008
Who said that female martial art masters are rare… In old time in orient there were many — wing chun, last wife of master whong fei hung are a few… Please note that all masters are not teachers (or coaches)…
9
Martial arts warrior
// Jul 14, 2008
Who said that female martial art masters are rare… In old time in orient there were many — nug mei, mothe rof fong sai yok, wing chun, last wife of master whong fei hung are a few… Please note that all masters are not teachers (or coaches)…
10
Martial Arts Mom
// Dec 31, 2008
I know this post has been around awhile, but just happened across it and wanted to comment. This answer is not supposed to be flippant. I believe that, in general, women are more responsible for others and this takes time away from their own pursuits. I know there are exceptions, but as a rule, and that would allow for the large numbers of women who don’t continue on, women are responsible for the daily details in their kids’ lives, sometimes their mate’s life, and later in life, occasionally their elderly parents lives. Something has got to give and the woman’s own personal desires/hobbies are the ones that are sacrificed.
11
Chriss
// Feb 4, 2009
Hi, I think you are really on to something here. But here is my take. Women, especially once they become mothers have a real hard time with violence. Women generally just want to fit in, they are less competitive. Women do Martial Arts for different reasons. I personally have a hell of a lot more to prove to myself than I do to anyone else. I do Karate for me, Karate, centers me, calms me, helps me focus, relieves frustration and tension. It is mine and no one can take it from. It is a real great work out. I am not sure if I will ever compete. But I can say I definately do not have that childhood conquest of being the next big name in MMA. Women are so busy looking after others that we forget the importance of taking care of ourselves.
12
Gerald
// Feb 15, 2009
The reasons I think female martial arts masters are so rare is because most women nowadays have this mentality that no man would dare hurt them. They live in a bubble. Also, they’re “girly-girls” who feel martial arts is too much of a guy thing. What’s more, many women today have that mentality that a man will always be there to protect them. To me, that’s a false sense of security because what happens if a man can’t be there? In the end, it must be about the way they were raised. In other words, if they grew up in an environment where the men always protected the women, then that’s what they come to expect in life. However, if the women come from an environment where they have to learn to be as tough as their male siblings, then these type of women are more prone to learning how to defend themselves with martial arts. Personally, I prefer a woman who trains in martial arts versus a woman who doesn’t.
13
Brent Emery Pieczynski
// Apr 11, 2009
This training women for drama, to destroy relationships and force violence to materialize toward them, will become destructive; as a result of the type, of martial arts instructor which they will be taught by soap-operas to look for.
Those people which will setup insane rules, in order to force peace know their organizations will require, ever-increasing budgets. What advantage do men have in martial arts, the answer is this ability to endlessly work on a limited number, of the most critical-basic-things.
The slow movement and stationary movement, does teach how to unify the body as one unit. That internal-flow of energy, is listed by women as being boring. This strengthening of individual-skills and individual body-parts is also, listed as a boring item.
That practicing of an already memorized set of movements, will be listed as boring, even when that does teach the body habits, which have benefit. This practice even with push-hands, is something which enrages those which just want some cosmetically-nice movements.
If seriously returning to the basics of a martial-art is done, those skills which are developed will not add to any great sense of show. Those most seriously developed skills, will not stand apart from a crowd, because that which is designed for usefulness, isn’t like the tail of a peacock.
14
Revilo
// May 2, 2009
I do jujitsu and it is what I look forward to every week. I am the only girl in my high schools weight training class and I think I work the hardest even though (being surrounded by football players who tower over me) I know that there is no way I will ever be stronger or faster then them. I am in the class because it may help my jujitsu.
I think that a lot of girls don’t do martial arts because they consider it brute like… and lots of guys at my school wouldn’t be comfortable interacting with a girl who isn’t viewing him as her guardian/knight in shinning armor.
I think the thing that keeps most girls from martial arts is the scorn they get from other girls. The second big thing is when guys keep girls from learning by going easy on them. It is VERY demeaning, and the sad thing is that they think they are being kind.
15
Beth
// May 2, 2009
Thank God, another female martial artist that gets it! I practice Combat Hapkido, and am one of the few women in the class. I never have had the problem that guys go to rough on me. They always take it easy, even some of my fellow female artist do this. We are a self-defense only martial art, but you use it like you practice it. I don’t want to practice my art soft because I want my art to be accurate, not just something I’m practicing. Finally somebody else understands.
16
Jill
// May 4, 2009
I agree with Martial Arts mom (comment #10)- I think it has a lot to do with expectations on women’s time. I don’t think women live in a bubble and think no man will hurt them (but I live in a big city so girls I know may be more aware of danger than the average) and I don’t think women are less interested in martial arts or being seen as brutish or tough either- we run Krav Maga seminars and pack the place with women, many of whom come to train with our school on a regular basis. But in the past few years, I’ve seen many of our long-term-committed tough girls drop out because of pregancy, family obligations, taking care of a sick family member, spouse move, etc. If you start a martial art or practice in your 20s, the likelihood that you may become a parent between then and your 40s is pretty high in the US (something like 75%) and I can’t speak for other styles but you can’t do Krav when you’re pregant (or at least not fully) and many women I know just don’t have time or have consistent time to come in after their family obligations begin. If you can’t train consistently, it’s hard to become an instructor/master/leader!
17
Tebroc
// May 9, 2009
It is interesting that less women become martial arts masters then men.
Though there may have been martial arts masters before, a lot of the reasons for less women martial arts masters then men is because of the typical expectations of women in society.
This covers just about all of the comments people have been bouncing around; familial obligations and obligations to other people, the mindset of what a women should be – the bubbly women, don’t want to be considered brutish, ect.-, how men are expected to interact with women -the ‘nice guy’ following, and effect of the 1940’s and 1950’s mindset.
Quite simply, people who follow custom are inclined to continue this trend.
I train in Jujitsu, and the reactions of my sister and aunt are more then enough to convince me of the majority of the above points.
18
Dragonfly
// May 15, 2009
I do not find other women disdain or look down on my practicing martial arts. I do encounter a couple of raised eye brows because they don’t know a lot of fellow mothers who practice the art but I usually find they have one of the following reactions 1) Wow, that is great. It must be a great work out. 2) you must be tough 3) secret thought (I have no idea why you would want to do that) covered by “oh how interesting”. That is ok. It really doesn’t matter to me. I know why and what I get from it. I go to a martial arts camp each year in the style that I practice with about 100 people 80% male. I often thought as long as there are just one or two other women (so I don’t have to be in a dorm completely alone) I am fine with that. Why so few women? For the reasons others give – family, children, obligations etc..
19
zenforcer
// Jul 21, 2009
Does anyone know of a living female martial arts or self defense master? Any style, doesn’t matter. Actresses need not apply.
20
Blatherskite
// Sep 13, 2009
I know of two female grandmasters… One is a 9th dan and practises in San Francisco: Keiko Fukado:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keiko_Fukuda; teaching judo , I believe her father was a master.
List of high ranking female artists over 6th dan in aikido:
http://www.aikiweb.com/mediawiki/index.php?title=High_ranking_women&oldid=587&wiki_session=69c004d847ba80a2e0d2157911069c3f
21
Blatherskite
// Sep 13, 2009
Ooops I meant at 6th dan and above…
22
Blatherskite
// Sep 13, 2009
I read this book when I first started studying martial arts: http://www.amazon.com/Sharp-Spear-Crystal-Mirror-Martial/dp/0892816627/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&s=books&tag=martialdevelo-20&qid=1252898978&sr=1-23 …. The book is a series of interviews with various women martial arts masters and students from different forms, the difficulties they overcame in order to teach is at time quite touching (many are daughters of masters who were expected to marry-not teach) one female US master of Tai Chi was living in a hut without any running water or electricity earning money by selling pottery & teaching in a park–that’s dedication.
23
Pepero
// Sep 14, 2009
I can’t believe no one has mentioned Grandmaster Myong Mayes. She’s considered the highest legitimate ranking female martial artist in the world. She is registered with the Kukkiwon as a 9th degree in WTF Taekwondo.
Here’s some links on her:
http://deletionpedia.dbatley.com/w/index.php?title=Myong_Mayes
http://www.ncustc.com/aboutus.htm
24
Betty
// Sep 30, 2009
I practise Muay Thai in Kenya. In my dojo we have about 5 consistent Muay thai women, two who are professsional fighters with me aspiring to my first fight early next year. the total – 5 women out of about 60 people. My gym is the only one in the whole of East Africa with Muay Thai.
For Kenya, this is actually a high average. most women here hate the idea of physically exerting themselves for fitness. The men here encourage that, prefering curves over muscle each time.
My take is that, in combat there is neither male nor female, only a master.
if these bubble-headed women allow a bubble headed man to dictate how fit they are then screw them.
The problem with women? they have low low life standards and no real desire to perfect themselves. That’s why they dumb down (they do that here too ) that’s why they don’t exercise. Coz its not about pain, most women who give birth have a very high pain threshold.
25
Pepero
// Sep 30, 2009
When I started studying back in the 80’s here in the US I never felt welcome in class. I was the only woman in class that seemed to take it seriously as the others didn’t want to spar men and almost always quit before reaching black belt. Most seem to study it only because their child or husband did or for fitness. A few ladies started class because they were attracted to our instructors and stopped class once they managed to get a date with them.
I finally quit myself after reaching black belt because it was nothing but years of verbal abuse from the male students and instructors. They started out making fun of me for being aggressive compared to other women and I was called the usual derogatory terms such as lesbian just because I wasn’t weak and never whined in rough sparring. Then as I came up in rank the males started excluding me from class telling me I wasn’t allowed to join that night and refusing to teach me advance techniques I needed to know to progress as a black belt. I wonder these days if things have changed and if women get treated better? Or was it never really that bad in the 80’s in less prejudice parts of the country as I studied in the South where men are in general very disrespecting to all women.
26
angel
// Oct 4, 2009
Hearing Pepero and some other stories, I have to say that martial arts have come a long way, genderwise. My Kwoon has about as many male black belts as female and of the three highest ranked in my art (Shao-lin Kung-Fu) One of them is female. I feel welcomed in class, encouraged to spar, and given equal treatment to everyone else in class. There still does seem to be a propensity for women to quit before getting their blackbelts, but more that the school, I think that is due to lack of interest or personal opinions on feminity.
27
Maliha
// Oct 31, 2009
Hi there! I’d like to fing out are there any female martial arts/ karate instructors that teach in East london (Newham) If there are please give details of your class I will be willing to join.
28
maddie madison
// Nov 18, 2009
Hello. I have been a fan of the various martial arts for many years, from the sidelines. What form/school of martial arts would you recommend for a 55 year old woman with a weak neck (some degeneration in the cervical spine). I tried aikido 20 years ago and loved it, but hurt my neck tring to learn how to fall. So I am now a bit cautious, but would still like to learn an art, for the discipline, mind-body conditioning and potential for self-defense.
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