Susan E. Smith

Susan B. Anthony said in 1871, 'Woman must not depend on the protection of man but must be taught to defend herself.'

Susan E. Smith, author of Fear or Freedom, Å Woman's Options in Social Survival and Physical Defense, says today, 'Self-defense skills are not a scary little bag of tricks that women shamefully and fearfully hide behind their feminine facades. They are part of the fabric of a woman's daily existence and essential to her as an independent, integrated human being.'

Fear or Freedom is an empowering, personal growth and life-expanding book. The author's dynamic style and careful scholarship and research make the book not merely a self-defense manual but a social and psychological study of he dynamics of violence, rape and attack. Women are becoming less intimidated by the idea that they must take responsibility for their own physical safety. Women are gaining more economic independence, mobility and physical independence. With this degree of freedom, concerns and conflicts about physical safety loom larger than ever before.

Susan E. Smith proclaims, 'You have theright to move freely in this society. Your presence in any situation does not justify violence aganst you. You are physically capable and perceptually adept at fine discrimination and exercising good judgment. You have a right to be here-welcome to the world!'

'I'd rather learn from one bird how to sing than teach ten thousand stars how not to dance.'-e.e. cummings

My instructor gave this book to me long ago after I had began teaching courses in women's self defense. Especially eye opening was the section on the subliminal & psychological issues in our culture, of which both genders are often oblivious. I re-read it before each new session and place it on the top of my reading list for new black belts! The techniques enclosed can be utilized, adapted or the 'budo-centric' instructors can use their own styles and take the book for its valuable advice and materials. It is a MUST DO for the male teacher who might not even be aware of the degree of abuse they may be dispensing to the female students.

Contents

Chapter I Self-defense for women: A postive social trend and an opportunity for persona growth
Chapter II Social mythology: Common myths about women, men, vioience and rape
Chapter III Results of the four-part survey
Part I Known-assailant attack
Part II Random or stranger attack
Part III Successful resistance
Part IV Assaults
Chapter IV Attack deterrents
Home security
Illustrated by Gregory Bown
Chapter V Degrees of threat and degrees of resistance
Chapter VI Self-defense techniques
Basics illustrated
Techniques illustrated
Chapter VII Last-resort techniques
Footnotes and resources
Organizations and agencies… (meer)