Many women are turning to self-defense events and classes that emphasize fewer scary scenarios and grim statistics about violence against women and more fitness, friendship or just plain fun.
New research to be presented at the American Society of Criminology’s annual meeting in November has found that women are more likely to enroll in classes if they are more sociable, comfortable and convenient. Leanne Brecklin, the study’s author and an associate professor of criminal justice at the University of Illinois-Springfield, discovered that women can also be lured by data showing how helpful self-defense skills can be — and have been.
“Sharing women’s success stories demonstrates that fighting back is not only possible but also effective, and that might help recruit women who are reluctant to enroll,” Ms. Brecklin said.
Brecklin was featured in an July 25, 2012, article in the New York Times.
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