I know they're extremely popular sports, but I've never cared for mixed martial arts or boxing because I think they're extremely violent and the potential for serious injury is ever-present. That's why I can't believe how some parents let their kids participate in something known as cage fighting. If it sounds crazy it's because it is. In essence, cage fighting pits two young kids (I'm talking 6 or 7 years old) against each other inside a cage while their coaches, parents and other fans of the violent sport cheer them on.
What kind of parent thinks this is a good idea?
Read more ¿Qué más?: Dangerous texting app every parent needs to know about
Apparently, one who sees cage fighting as any other sport since those who support it say it teaches their children nothing more than how to defend themselves if they ever need it. I can see why this is such an important skill to have in this day and age of constant bullying, but there's surely other ways to prevent this other than teaching our children to be violent.
Plus, from the photos taken by Sebastián Montalvo, a Peruvian photographer who has been capturing these fights between children in cities across the country, the kids violent side is pretty obvious and kind of disturbing. Not to mention that the kids get hurt all the time, as evident in at least a couple of the photos in which they can be seen crying after getting a particularly strong blow.
Meanwhile, instructors claim that it's a great way to keep children healthy and fit. Even though I'm all for supporting the battle against childhood obesity through sports, I can think of many others that would accomplish that goal without the added violence.
While I've never had the displeasure of attending one of these cage fights (and I'll make sure I never do), the pictures and the videos I've seen make it very clear that they promote violence. In an era in which our kids seem to be bombarded by violence on a daily basis, I fail to see the need for even more brutality.
Image via YouTube
