About Defending Yourself

Many persons think about ways by which to defend themselves.  Thoughts like these become obvious based on the environment in which a person finds himself.  For most individuals their defense is verbal, for others it’s physical.  Some take up arms.  However, these are only some ways by which persons may defend themselves.

By being verbal

Being verbal is the most democratic way.  We argue for our point of view.  Politicians make stump speeches trying to persuade us.  We ask them questions to test if they can be trusted to defend our interests.  Afterwards we make a decision at the polls.  But is all verbal defense equal?

Persuasive arguments may depend on a number of attributes from the knowledge of the speakers, his non-verbal communication skills and credibility.  A person can talk all he wants but if he does not connect with his audience it serves no purpose.

The more educated would have an advantage for he would be the person that keeps up with life’s developments.  He is most likely to read a daily newspaper, books on a wide range of subjects, and could be seen socializing with various groups in which he has an interest.

Those lacking an education are vulnerable.  They would have to have an advocate or fall prey to the many scams because of inadequate information.  Many of these may be the poor and are too busy thinking about how to get their next meal rather than an education.

Many professions require that a person be a good speaker.  In law lawyers constantly have to argue cases in court to defend their clients.  Another are the pundits in mass media that have to demonstrate that they are sharp, effective, and able to ask tough questions of their guests.

Physical defense

Some persons when they are out of control resort to physical violence.  Many claim that they are defending themselves by doing what is right.  A guy may be moved to become physical because someone insulted his girlfriend.  Verbal communication breaks down and he decides to attack his rival.  Such fights which often occur in public are never pretty.  One of these persons may end up with a bloody nose or even worse.

For most school boys when tempers cool, they shake hands, make up and it is back to business as usual.  Nevertheless, the feelings persist with the attacker that he has defended his honor.  For most who have ever experienced such an encounter, they never really think through what the repercussions will be.  They were motivated by sheer passion.

Taking up arms

With arms the stakes are up a notch higher.  Some persons swear by their constitutional rights to bear arms.  They  do not leave home without a gun especially in areas of the country where crime is prevalent.  Their feelings are that they would not hesitate to use their weapon in self defense.  There are numerous cases where criminals were stopped cold in their tracks, lamed or killed because they crossed paths with a person bearing a weapon.

Policemen are armed and they protect us from violence.  Carrying a gun can be tricky for care has to be taken when it is being loaded.  Some persons when cleaning their gun have been known to shoot themselves or others accidentally.  Still a gun remains one of the prime ways in modern society by which some individuals defend themselves.  Some women see it as much more of a deterrent than pepper spray.

Other methods of defense

There are many other methods of defense that range the gamut from taking karate lessons, putting in security systems, neighborhood watch, having a body-guard, or by outsmarting an opponent.