Discussion Would you be able to defend yourself in a physical altercation?

[Anxieyote]

I was thinking about this question recently when I saw a YouTube segment between two people arguing about whether biological women should be allowed to join the military in physical roles like infantry.

One of the debaters presented an analogy involving a young boy who is getting bullied in grade school.

The Mom tells her son, "You should never fight your battles physically. Use words and diplomacy to deescalate the situation."

The boy follows his mother's advice, and presents many logical reasons as to why the bully shouldn't terrorize him. The bully ignores his words, and proceeds to beat him up.

The boy returns home, and asks his Dad for advice. His Dad says, "Go to the gym, and get stronger. When the bully confronts you again, ask him if he would like to challenge you to a fight."

The next time he is harrassed by the bully, the boy asks him if his harassment is an invitation for a fight. The bully looks him and up down, and notices the boy's physical improvement. He walks away, and doesn't make fun of him again, knowing that further verbal harassment may result in an unfavorable outcome for himself.

The purpose of this analogy was to highlight that you aren't always going to be able to talk yourself out of a physical fight. If someone is determined to hurt you; and they also know the likelihood of facing consequences for hurting you is low—they may proceed to take advantage of the situation, simply because they can.

It sometimes falls onto the victim's shoulders to provide a convincing reason to their instigator as to why they should be left alone; and possessing physical strength is one way to diffuse their desire to challenge you.

In today's world though, we have more options to defend ourselves if the need arises. Perhaps you own a can of mace, or a firearm. Either way, do you think you would be capable of protecting yourself if you were challenged to a physical fight?

 

[Angi]

Took several classes to learn it. Learned that I do not stand a chance against someone heavier than me. Unless they are drunk. The problem is not gender, though, this is about mass. I bet an 80kg well-trained woman could beat up many guys just fine.

 

[WorthlessTrash]

No, but then again, I have no concern for my well being.

 

[hungry_ghost]

Probably not, but I am trying to gain muscle and I have a pretty good natural boxer's stance as a woman.

I would definitely have to go learn martial arts, though.

 

[jamie_]

i always have zero energy, so no

 

[Himalayan]

Depends. Highschool kid, probably. Drunkard? I would run.
And i am very fast, cause i am one of those annoying pricks that run for a hobby.

 

[MellowAvenue]

Really only one way to find out isn't there?

 

[𖣴 nadia 𖣴]

Probably wouldn't be here if I could've protected myself against violence, CSA, SA etc.

 

[Message In A Bottle]

Probably not, but I am trying to gain muscle and I have a pretty good natural boxer's stance as a woman.

I would definitely have to go learn martial arts, though.

Same, I'm eating at a surplus again...a real pain for someone who hates eating in large amounts. You may like boxing cardio, they have vids on youtube that I do from time to time.

But to answer the thread's question...I'm not sure - I'd fight with all that I have though.

 

[Domimi]

I'm very skinny and my muscles are atrophied because of prolonged sedentarity, sooo very unlikely. However, I don't have any shame or inhibition towards being a coward and running, throwing things, sucker punches and low blows, so I may stand my ground against most ppl depending on the circumstances. Getting up close and throwing punches is the last thing I would do in a fight.

 

[Insomniac]

I don't eat so no.

I only weight 122lbs also.

 

[makethepainstop]

Really only one way to find out isn't there?

View attachment 101673

That's me! Just before I go into berserker mode. Yes, that includes a very tasteful switchblade and a firearm. As angry as I am right now, (Colorado bar shooting and their congresscunt, saying that the dead gay people were burning in hell), I might not even reach for anything.
I am angry enough that the terminator would decide to run.

 

[Brew]

Yes, just because I have to.
It's not like you cannot combine both your wits with your muscles.

I personally think that I have noodle arms, but I've got people staring at my bum for long enough for me to realize that walking everywhere got me horse legs. With enough training, I just know I can one-shot any mf with a single kick.

If that fails, I can use my tongue to get somebody stupid enough to turn their backs on me for a free screwdrivin'.

 

[makethepainstop]

Yes, just because I have to.
It's not like you cannot combine both your wits with your muscles.

I personally think that I have noodle arms, but I've got people staring at my bum for long enough for me to realize that walking everywhere got me horse legs. With enough training, I just know I can one-shot any mf with a single kick.

If that fails, I can use my tongue to get somebody stupid enough to turn their backs on me for a free screwdrivin'.

Unfortunately, there are people in this world that take kindness, and warmth as being weak. Such people only respect brute force. I have found many supposed badasses to fold like a cheap lawn chair when you respond with greater violence, force, and psychosis. How many bullies have got by just because they are a bit bigger or more muscular than the person they are attacking or picking on, just by giving a crazy mean look? Then when you give it back, plus interest they roll over and show you their stomach, like the cowards they are. My entire life because I am lightly built bullies think I am an easy mark, love when I respond and they look scared like a deer in a car's headlights. I don't like hurting others as a rule, but then bullies and scum always bring out my darker side, always. I hate bullies.

 

[whatevs]

This absolutely depends on the opponent. I've won a fight with an imposing, large guy just because he had no idea what to do and at least I was connecting punches, but just a bit of know-how from him would have resulted in getting beat up. I've also been pinned to a wall by a similarly sized but stronger inebriated man with not ability to free myself, and he also ragdolled me around for variety lol, that's a very stressful situation that hopefully resolved without injury.

Overall I'm physically enfeebled due to chronic fatigue making exercise very infrequent but I have a fighting spirit, which I can assure you most people lack, so just off that I'm at an advantage. It's always shocking to see how people in the bus, train or street find very hard to intervene when someone is assaulting someone else, they're sheep like, averse to violence, and only act if they sense a group backing them up.

 

[Angst Filled Fuck Up]

I've never had to tbh. Nobody has ever messed with me like that. Granted I'm a giant, so that's a deterrent, but now I'm also getting older with that salt and pepper hair starting to come in and it's silly to fight an old guy so I think I'm off the hook at this point.

Like others here I have significant energy issues, but despite that I'm still very strong. I've always naturally been that way without any real working out or anything. I reckon I'd do okay if the situation did arise.

 

[Brew]

Unfortunately, there are people in this world that take kindness, and warmth as being weak. Such people only respect brute force. I have found many supposed badasses to fold like a cheap lawn chair when you respond with greater violence, force, and psychosis. How many bullies have got by just because they are a bit bigger or more muscular than the person they are attacking or picking on, just by giving a crazy mean look? Then when you give it back, plus interest they roll over and show you their stomach, like the cowards they are. My entire life because I am lightly built bullies think I am an easy mark, love when I respond and they look scared like a deer in a car's headlights. I don't like hurting others as a rule, but then bullies and scum always bring out my darker side, always. I hate bullies.

Sorry this reply took so long

 

[Dead Ghost]

No, I will not defend myself neither physically, nor verbally, nor mentally. Very proven (for physical purposes, luckily, very rarely).
//
No, no em se defendre pas ni físicament, ni verbalment, ni mentalment. Comprovadíssim (de físiques, per sort, molt poques vegades).

 

[GenesAndEnvironment]

"Would you be able to bench press a weight?"

 

[Blondi]

Against agressive pensioners and cripples i could most likely defend myself , against other people , not so much.

 

[The Eeyorish One]

I absolutely wouldn't be able to. Between being out of shape, on female hormones, and a bad back there's just no way.

 

[TAW122]

I answered no because I simply just don't have the capabilities to do so. (I have a story to tell though but that's for another time and another thread, in which I will get into much more detail). Despite being biologically a male, I consider myself worse off (physically and what not) than my peers of my age group or even younger. I simply just lack the coordination and physical prowess that most of my peers have (just fyi I don't believe I have any physical conditions or ailments afaik and my annual physicals evaluation returns normal). I wasn't the type to be good at sports in fact I suck at it. I'd likely fold in a physical confrontation and I have never as much thrown an actual "punch" nor have I been in any physical fight in my life. I suppose the only thing I have going for me is my intellect and situational awareness that will only get me so far. If I couldn't avoid a fight, I suppose I'd be screwed (either hurt badly or at the mercy of the aggressor). Again, I could get into much more detail, but I will save that for another thread/topic.

 

[another@]

No, probably not. However, I do have a big metal water bottle, so I'd hopefully time the right moment to hit them by surprise in the head, which would hopefully either knock them out or give me time to escape. If they blocked or avoided it, then I would be doubly fucked, bc of the notion of "standards" in fighting which I would have "violated" by defending myself, which would therefore leave me a target for even more physical harm. The world is just cruel like that. They would never take mercy on me being weak, or depressed, or alone. Only winners get empathy; even sympathy or pity in today's world... Especially as a man.

 

[Celerity]

Nope, and I get a kick out of other women of a similar stature and strength level who do. It is obvious when you speak to them that they have probably never been in a physical fight and especially not one with a man.

I will never forget when an older classmate in middle school tried to force me to kiss him. To my relief, he eventually gave up, but I will never forget how absolutely fruitless it was to push at his chest as he shoved me into a wall. I may have had a better chance if I had fought more dirty (I had up until then counted him as a friend), but escalating could have also gotten me injured. If his conscience urged him to give up his assault, I doubt it would have stood in the way if I had successfully punched or kicked him.

At the time of the incident, I was at my full height and strength. He had yet to finish puberty and would only grow taller and stronger over the years. Fighting a dude and expecting to win is a joke.

 

[Brew]

At the time of the incident, I was at my full height and strength. He had yet to finish puberty and would only grow taller and stronger over the years. Fighting a dude and expecting to win is a joke.

My granddad used to say that nobody really ever wins fights outside of a ring. "If you get to the point you have to defend yourself and they are still breathing, they WILL come back for you"


Worst part is, at least where we live, he's completely right

 

[hamvil]

The story starts with the assumption that in a civilized society it is normal to assume that I should be able to defend myself at school against bullies. This is normal probably only in the USA and nowhere else in the western world.

 

[Luchs]

I'm a dude,somewhat tall, but I'm pretty underweight and lanky. I don't think I'd have a chance against someone that is within a few inches of my height,that's why I always have a knife if I go out of the house.

 

[LonelyEmerald]

I was thinking about this question recently when I saw a YouTube segment between two people arguing about whether biological women should be allowed to join the military in physical roles like infantry.

One of the debaters presented an analogy involving a young boy who is getting bullied in grade school.

The Mom tells her son, "You should never fight your battles physically. Use words and diplomacy to deescalate the situation."

The boy follows his mother's advice, and presents many logical reasons as to why the bully shouldn't terrorize him. The bully ignores his words, and proceeds to beat him up.

The boy returns home, and asks his Dad for advice. His Dad says, "Go to the gym, and get stronger. When the bully confronts you again, ask him if he would like to challenge you to a fight."

The next time he is harrassed by the bully, the boy asks him if his harassment is an invitation for a fight. The bully looks him and up down, and notices the boy's physical improvement. He walks away, and doesn't make fun of him again, knowing that further verbal harassment may result in an unfavorable outcome for himself.

The purpose of this analogy was to highlight that you aren't always going to be able to talk yourself out of a physical fight. If someone is determined to hurt you; and they also know the likelihood of facing consequences for hurting you is low—they may proceed to take advantage of the situation, simply because they can.

It sometimes falls onto the victim's shoulders to provide a convincing reason to their instigator as to why they should be left alone; and possessing physical strength is one way to diffuse their desire to challenge you.

In today's world though, we have more options to defend ourselves if the need arises. Perhaps you own a can of mace, or a firearm. Either way, do you think you would be capable of protecting yourself if you were challenged to a physical fight?

Think the fault with these thought processes is many single mothers don't recognize that school is basically prison. You have to be able to stick up for yourself in school. I wish I had known this growing up. For most adults, you will likely never see confrontation in the USA at least unless you go to bars, parties, or prison. In prison, you have two options in certain situation. 1. Suck dick 2. fight. That out of the way, I can definitely stick up for myself. I have always been solid. In my best shape I was 5 10 220 with a good BMI. I'm now 250. I'd like to get down to 241/242 for powerlifting and a bit less for martial arts. I have been working on it. I have elite genetic muscle composition and had a good strength program at our school. I played football from 7-17 before I quit my senior year due to being unhappy, all my friends on the team having graduated, and other various reasons. I have trained wrestling, MMA, and Brazilian JuJitsu. Two things stopped me from training. My big toes are ingrown and very painful. I do not have my driver's license or even my learner's permit. With both those issues out of the way I would go back to training and even compete. I'd also throw in kickboxing and Muay Thai into my training. I am working on owning several bows, guns, a crossbow, throwing knives, throwing axes, knives, throwing cards, and ninja stars. All throwing weapons are about the same with the right skill. A crossbow is as deadly as a gun. A bow and throwing projectiles can be with the right skill level, but I wouldn't take the chance. I think I am fully capable of defending myself in a physical confrontation. However, I doubt I will see one within the next decade or so. In ensuing decades, we will likely see much more violence as the world enters a chaotic time period in my lifetime. I hope to have my isolated log cabin in the woods by then. Maybe even a bunker and a panic shelter. Edit: I have no current primary plans to join the military. However, my mom may have cancer and we are waiting on the results. I am currently working on a 2-year workforce degree that transfers into a 4-year as well. I want to at minimum finish that, even if my mother dies of cancer before I do. After that, I'm not sure what I'd do but getting the military to pay for my 4-year is definitely on the table as well giving me lodging, salary, connection, food, water, etc. I'd have a nice little goose egg when I'd get out. I'd have to join the Army because I have autism and it'd be tough to get in and stay at the other branches as they don't have as many issues recruiting and even keep discharging people all the time. Military training would definitely make me more capable of protecting myself.

 

[Blondi]

The story starts with the assumption that in a civilized society it is normal to assume that I should be able to defend myself at school against bullies. This is normal probably only in the USA and nowhere else in the western world.

Bullies exist everywhere, doesn't matter if it's USA , Switzerland or Norway. If you have physical disabilities , are short and physically delicate, look different (race , gender , sexuality, clothes , etc) , you will get spat on , exploited , physically assaulted.

 

[hamvil]

Bullies exist everywhere, doesn't matter if it's USA , Switzerland or Norway. If you have physical disabilities , are short and physically delicate, look different (race , gender , sexuality, clothes , etc) , you will get spat on , exploited , physically assaulted.

I did have this experience during my school cycle. There were students with disabilities, physically delicate etc but teacher made sure that acts of bullies were not tolerated. The answer is not puch back, the answer is make sure people are educated. That is why in Europe the laws for self-defence have major limitations.