"I Want My Child to Be Strong": Kids Flock to Martial Arts Gyms

The fourth hot topic of the day.

These days, many children are flocking to boxing gyms and jiu-jitsu studios.

It seems to stem from a desire for their children to grow up strong.

Boxing gyms and jiu-jitsu studios, which primarily catered to adult members, are now opening kids' classes.

The number of elementary school students enrolling in these programs is on the rise.

Last year, a kids' jiu-jitsu association was even launched.

Many children say they started boxing or jiu-jitsu at the suggestion of their parents.

Surely, the intention is not to teach them how to fight.

Parents explained that they encouraged these activities in the hope that their children would build confidence, avoid feeling intimidated at school, and learn self-defense skills.

In fact, school violence is one of the factors fueling anxiety among parents.

According to this year's national survey on school violence, 6.2% of students responded that they had experienced school violence.

(Source: Korea Economic Daily, Image source: Instagram capture)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.