Abstract
Martial arts is a widely practiced physical activity, valued for its potential benefits in self-defense, sport participation, and discipline. In this study, four incarcerated male youth participated in a twelve-week martial arts program grounded in life skill development. The purpose of the study was to examine incarcerated youth experiences and perceptions of physical fighting. The study also explores the impact of martial arts training on youth perceptions of their overall development. Three semi-structured interviews were conducted with each participant: one based on pre-prison exposure to fighting, another based on exposure to fighting while in prison, and the final interview focused on the program’s impact on their physical, behavioral, and psychosocial development. Preliminary results from the thematic analysis of the interviews is presented.
Presenters
Jeremy ButlerAssociate Director - Project FLEX, Kinesiology and Physical Education, Northern Illinois University, Illinois, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
KEYWORDS
MARTIAL ARTS, PRISON, YOUTH, BEHAVIOR, MALES, LIFE SKILLS
