Fairfax County should incorporate self-defense into physical education classes to help prepare students

Personal safety is a rising concern in modern society. On a more local scale, the recent attempted abductions of Oakton High School students have put the community on high alert, and Oakton High School and Oakton Patch have released a list of safety tips to be taken into consideration in order to promote optimum safety in our community. These attempted abductions have raised concerns regarding whether our students are equipped with the appropriate knowledge or ability to stay safe on the streets.
Many middle and high school across the nation include a self-defense unit in their physical education class. The inclusion of self-defense education not only prepares students to defend themselves outside of school if ever in a dangerous situation but also promotes healthy relationships between students and provides a safe environment in which students can develop confidence regarding their self-defense capabilities. The implementation of self-defense in middle or high school P.E. classes is beneficial both in and out of the school community.
Self-defense programs in schools across the nation have proven themselves worthy of inclusion in the P.E. class curriculum, and with the recent attempted abductions of Oakton students, many are wondering why FCPS does not include self-defense in its own P.E. curriculum. Most of our time in P.E. class is spent playing games or just sitting around. When put in perspective, self-defense should be a priority over these games; while physical fitness is essential, it won’t hold much importance if someone’s life is on the line.
Although there are many opportunities for students to learn self-defense techniques outside of school, such as enrollment in a martial arts academy, these opportunities can be costly, time-consuming, or both. As high school students, the majority of us have difficulty finding time to sleep, let alone go to classes or self-defense seminars. Many of us are not willing or able to make the sacrifices that are necessary to obtain our own self-defense education. This leaves little room for alternatives: if Fairfax County wants its students to be prepared in a dangerous and possibly life-threatening situation, they should implement self-defense into the P.E. curriculum.
At the same time, self-defense is not the only important aspect of ensuring that students are safe on the streets. General safety, such as being aware of surroundings, dealing with suspicious people, and avoiding unsafe situations is important as well in maintaining personal safety. If self-defense is taught in P.E. classes, it should be taught as part of a safety course, because knowledge regarding safety on the streets can help students avoid situations in which the use of self-defense techniques would be necessary.
With the open spots on the Fairfax County School Board, now is the time to begin campaigning for self-defense in P.E. classes. These new school board members may be more open to input on what is best for students, which means self-defense in P.E. classes may be a viable option. Students and parents should join together now and begin campaigning for self-defense programs to keep students safe on the streets. The support of the Fairfax County community is necessary to achieve this goal, and as self-defense is important not only for girls but for boys as well, all students and parents should make this goal a priority.