[clee1]

Very valid point.

Every parent should teach their children the value of a well-placed kick to the.... ummmmm.... family jewels can deflect an attack and that fingernails (and keys) do considerable damage to eyeballs.

[solitas]

I was taught at an early age what to do that would cause the most damage, to have the ability to use what was at-hand to help gain an advantage, when to do it and when not to do it, and, most importantly, to have a healthy regard, respect, and restraint-of-use for the abilities I had that others did not (i.e. schoolmates).

I am proud to say I have never gotten into a fight with anyone in all my years and have never maliciously, intentionally, hurt anyone. And I am thankful I've never had the need (so far, touch wood) to have had to physically defend myself.

I did get several opportunities, some time ago, to go all-out with/on a padded instructor who said he was impressed by my 'home schooled' abilities. He quite agreed that to be the agressor was secondary to being able to defend/disable-as-necessary/retreat.