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An open question: should children be trained, as a part of their normal education, in combat and fighting? I mean the whole range of combat, or some suitable subset thereof - unarmed, hand-to-hand fighting, then fighting with swords/sticks, and finally with guns.
There are a few reasons I think this is necessary.
First of all, self-esteem, or rather, confidence. All this modernist crap about encouraging self-esteem is nothing compared to one month of intense training in fighting. Your self-esteem increases dramatically when you can genuinely respect both yourself and others, and fighting and combat teach this like no other discipline can. In fact, I'd propose a test. Take two groups of children. Teach one bunch of kids combat and fighting for one month. The other should do "self-esteem building exercises" as prescribed by the custodians of current educational culture. Then test the self-esteem and confidence of both. I'd bet a thousand bucks the fighters would be in a higher league.
Secondly, the effect on the nature of the citizenry. Fighting and combat inculcate, at the tip of the sword, the values of self-reliance, independence, and the respect and camaraderie of the strong. These are the fundamental values necessary in today's world.
Thirdly, the effect on culture. A culture in which the majority are free men who know how to fight, or can at least defend themselves coherently when attacked, is not one to fall easily. It is also one which will not cave under pressure, will handle crises gracefully, and will not sacrifice its integrity for immediate gain. Cultures are not entities with no connection to its constituents, it is an expression of the nature of the strongest within it. All this modern effeteness will go away with the implementation of this measure.
Fourthly, and lastly, this is tremendously useful from purely a policy point of view, as the government has a hugely expanded base of potential recruits for its armed forces. In essence, if invaded, the entire country can be turned into one big army just by giving each man a gun.
A note: I am not saying that children should be given actual guns, swords, or whatnot, merely that they be trained in their use. For instance, hand-to-hand fighting can be done with either partners or with a coach, with rules to prevent the more damaging of injuries. The rest is character-building. Swordfighting can be done with blunt wooden swords instead of sharp metal blades. As for combat training and commando operations, you always have Airsoft. Modify the pellets to not hurt so much if that is a consideration.
EDIT: This is meant to be something you do as part of your education, not apart from it.
There are a few reasons I think this is necessary.
First of all, self-esteem, or rather, confidence. All this modernist crap about encouraging self-esteem is nothing compared to one month of intense training in fighting. Your self-esteem increases dramatically when you can genuinely respect both yourself and others, and fighting and combat teach this like no other discipline can. In fact, I'd propose a test. Take two groups of children. Teach one bunch of kids combat and fighting for one month. The other should do "self-esteem building exercises" as prescribed by the custodians of current educational culture. Then test the self-esteem and confidence of both. I'd bet a thousand bucks the fighters would be in a higher league.
Secondly, the effect on the nature of the citizenry. Fighting and combat inculcate, at the tip of the sword, the values of self-reliance, independence, and the respect and camaraderie of the strong. These are the fundamental values necessary in today's world.
Thirdly, the effect on culture. A culture in which the majority are free men who know how to fight, or can at least defend themselves coherently when attacked, is not one to fall easily. It is also one which will not cave under pressure, will handle crises gracefully, and will not sacrifice its integrity for immediate gain. Cultures are not entities with no connection to its constituents, it is an expression of the nature of the strongest within it. All this modern effeteness will go away with the implementation of this measure.
Fourthly, and lastly, this is tremendously useful from purely a policy point of view, as the government has a hugely expanded base of potential recruits for its armed forces. In essence, if invaded, the entire country can be turned into one big army just by giving each man a gun.
A note: I am not saying that children should be given actual guns, swords, or whatnot, merely that they be trained in their use. For instance, hand-to-hand fighting can be done with either partners or with a coach, with rules to prevent the more damaging of injuries. The rest is character-building. Swordfighting can be done with blunt wooden swords instead of sharp metal blades. As for combat training and commando operations, you always have Airsoft. Modify the pellets to not hurt so much if that is a consideration.
EDIT: This is meant to be something you do as part of your education, not apart from it.
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