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Why Aikido? by Ed Sullivan As the father of not one, but two children who study Aikido, the first question that comes to mind is: Why Aikido? Why make such a commitment to teaching children a Martial Art? To begin with, I talked to Blake and Isabel's mother for about two months before she agreed to make the commitment of time and resources. Since we live in Charlotte, it is a four hour or more per week commitment of time out of an already busy schedule. The first point that I made was that children do get into fights - with their friends. Aikido stresses conflict resolution as well as defensive reactions to violence. Another reality for children is the bullies that one finds in school as well as on buses. By having knowledge of Aikido, a child does not feel trapped with no options. I do not mean that a child would have to use Aikido physically, but rather would have this self-confidence to tell a teacher about bullies. Second was the study of Aikido as it relates to sports. A large percentage of children are engaged in some form of sports. The study of Aikido makes children very aware of where their bodies are in space. This is evident from Isabel's amazing skill at horseback riding (Arabians) and Blake's phenomenal reaction time in baseball. The owner of the Arabian horses informed me that she has never met a child with Isabel's sense of balance and body control. Plus, in soccer, Isabel weaves her way through the opposing team's defense like a hot knife through warm butter. Blake's speed at getting out of the batter's box insures him either the first or second batting position in baseball. I showed Sensei a photograph that was taken of Blake getting out of the way of an inside fastball. The parents were amazed to see how Blake kept his balance as he sank to the ground. Even more incredible was during this year's all-star games a child at least six feet tall strove into the batter's box. This little leaguer hit a screaming line drive at third base where Blake was playing. I honestly believe if anyone else were playing third base there would have been a serious injury. With the speed of light, Blake reached out and barehanded the ball. If this were a movie, he would have caught the ball. In the real world, he let go of it as if it was a hot potato. The umpire was in total amazement of what Blake had done. Finally, it is the philosophy of Aikido that they take home from the dojo that is my goal. They will walk with an air of self-confidence. As for Isabel, I hope the study of Aikido will keep her from having a victim mentality (powerless in situations) and from succumbing to the Ophelia Complex. The Ophelia Complex refers to the conscious decision of teenage girls to do poorly in school so that boys will like them. As for Blake's teenage years, temptations come too fast for teenage boys to think about them. Teenage boys' ethics and morals must be ingrained in them in order to avoid costly mistakes in judgment. These errors in judgment that I refer to could have life-long ramifications. I have the desire to be present when my two blue-belt children are awarded their Black Belts. Not for the acknowledgment of accomplishment that the awarding of this rank would confer, but rather I shall feel comfortable of their future in this world.