Children in Mixed Martial Arts
Ryan Gordy
Professor Howell
English 110-108
Research Paper: Final Draft
29 November 2011 Most children are introduced to a variety of activities during their childhood, with youth sports being the most commonly participated activity. Parents sign their children up for youth sports in order for their children to stay physically active and meet other kids of their own age. However, not all activities are considered suitable by society for children to engage in. Understandably, most parents prohibit their children from participating in activities that would expose them to unnecessary amounts of danger and violence. However, those children are also prohibited from participating in activities that are wrongfully associated with danger and aggression due to the activity’s poor reputation. A prime example is Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), which most people view as a sport filled with injuries, violence, and aggression. However, studies show that MMA can be safe, assist in character development, and improve the academic performance of its youth practitioners. Parents should give their children the opportunity to compete in MMA because of the variety of benefits associated with MMA. The first misconception held by society is that MMA is a barbaric and unsafe sport. MMA’s violent reputation is the product of early marketing strategies for MMA events, which were advertised as “brutal, no-holds-barred tournaments with no time limits, no weight classes, and few rules” (Bledsoe, et al. 136). Advertisements filled with blood and gore led the public to perceive MMA as “human cock fighting”, which is a first impression that MMA has been unable to shake off (Bledsoe, et al. 136). MMA has added several rules and regulations since its introduction in 1993 such as weight classes, round systems, and mandatory gloves (Bledsoe, et al. 139). The new rules and regulations enforced in MMA have resulted in a much safer environment for Mixed Martial Artists to compete in
Professor Howell
English 110-108
Research Paper: Final Draft
29 November 2011 Most children are introduced to a variety of activities during their childhood, with youth sports being the most commonly participated activity. Parents sign their children up for youth sports in order for their children to stay physically active and meet other kids of their own age. However, not all activities are considered suitable by society for children to engage in. Understandably, most parents prohibit their children from participating in activities that would expose them to unnecessary amounts of danger and violence. However, those children are also prohibited from participating in activities that are wrongfully associated with danger and aggression due to the activity’s poor reputation. A prime example is Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), which most people view as a sport filled with injuries, violence, and aggression. However, studies show that MMA can be safe, assist in character development, and improve the academic performance of its youth practitioners. Parents should give their children the opportunity to compete in MMA because of the variety of benefits associated with MMA. The first misconception held by society is that MMA is a barbaric and unsafe sport. MMA’s violent reputation is the product of early marketing strategies for MMA events, which were advertised as “brutal, no-holds-barred tournaments with no time limits, no weight classes, and few rules” (Bledsoe, et al. 136). Advertisements filled with blood and gore led the public to perceive MMA as “human cock fighting”, which is a first impression that MMA has been unable to shake off (Bledsoe, et al. 136). MMA has added several rules and regulations since its introduction in 1993 such as weight classes, round systems, and mandatory gloves (Bledsoe, et al. 139). The new rules and regulations enforced in MMA have resulted in a much safer environment for Mixed Martial Artists to compete in
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