Boxing Gyms and Martial Arts Clubs Keep Kids Off the Streets

I have just been watching Alexi Sayle’s Liverpool on BBC Two, and in it he was looking at the poverty that still plagues large parts of the city. Liverpool has the highest number of boxing clubs per population in the UK. Part of this reason is the role that boxing clubs can play in helping to keep youngsters off the streets, and to focus their stress and aggression in a positive way.

Currently in the UK we are seeing increased gun crime, increase stabbings and increased teen murders. The problem is not just restricted to London, but all the major cities. Ever since teenagers have been asked why they are out on the streets causing trouble, the reason given is usually that there is nothing for them to do. Martial arts and boxing gyms can give them something to do. Very few places are as accessible as boxing gyms. Many operate a simple walk in and train culture, and are open late in the evening, when everything else that a teenager can legally do is closed for business.

Maybe martial arts are the answer to the UK’s growing youth crime rates. Not only will martial arts keep teenagers out of trouble, it provides them with focus, with role models and the chance to try to make something of themselves. And of course, boxing is one of the best ways to get fit and tone the body. A boxers workout provides a good full body workout, and martial arts exercise the mind and the spirit as well as the body.

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Tags: boxing, liverpool, Martial Arts, teenage health, uk crime, youth crime

This entry was posted on Friday, June 20th, 2008 at 5:35 pm and is filed under Fitness. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.