Might for Right: Martial Arts for Youth Development and Women’s Empowerment

Abstract

Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) is a growing tool, implemented in part to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), two of which include youth development and women’s empowerment. Martial arts programs present a unique opportunity to further these development goals as they have been proven to increase physical and mental strength, teach life skills, provide mentorship opportunities, and allow women and girls to challenge restrictive gender norms. However, despite the proven benefits of martial arts programs, a framework for successfully establishing martial arts SDP programs is lacking. The following research examines demographic data and interviews with students, parents, and instructors from two Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do schools in Virginia to determine aspects of this program that have contributed to its successes. Based on this data, I present the Snakes and Ladders framework for martial arts programs to effectively achieve SDGs.