Not Sure

[Ignatios]

Greetings,

I am hoping this is the right forum for this.

Locally I and a few other folks have been involved in the SCA. We have since decided that it is just not what we want to be involved in for various reasons. We have looked at most the ARMA stuff already from being involved in SCA fighting. I think we know what we need to do to get started here. My only concern isn't really mine but my wifes. She loves being involved in fighting etc. Right now she is preganent with our first child, but she is concerned about getting involved with ARMA. So my questions.

1. How family oriented does ARMA tend to be?

2. Are there women who participate? Her main concern being is she going to be running into the testosterone wall, or is it accepted that women do this, with most of the traditional "hang-ups" concerning gender not happening?

3. Just wanted to say hello from Arkansas and hope I haven't posted this in the wrong place.

Thank you

Sincerely,

Greg (Iggy) Ingram

[Craig Peters]

Greg,

Just a note that the ARMA forum rules state that you need to register with your actual name- no pseudonyms are allowed, so you should re-register.

As for your questions:

I'm not sure what you mean by "family oriented". Can you clarify further? The ARMA is interested in pursuing medieval and Renaissance fighting arts as a legitimate martial art, with focus upon realistic speed, energy and intent. Because of the fact that there is some danger involved in practicing with swords and other weapons, membership is restricted to those who are age 18 or older. However, there is also an ARMA Youth club for younger people interested in historic European martial arts: http://www.thearma.org/Youth/Youth.htm

There are numerous women who participate within the ARMA. I have never heard anything about "gender hang-ups" with ARMA members; I think most of our male members are quite happy whenever we can find women who are interested in this sort of thing too, because it's relatively uncommon. There's even an ARMA article about considerations for female practitioners: http://www.thearma.org/femp.htm

I hope this helps.

[Greg Ingram]

My apologies, I seen that on the name didn't understand at the time. Correction is now made.

And yes the link helps a lot thank you very much.

Greg (Iggy) Ingram

[Craig Peters]

This link might also help: http://www.thearma.org/methods.htm

[Allen Johnson]

I do believe we have at least 2 female General Free Schollars? I know Maryanne (sp?) in Provo was quite good and would help teach newbies on a regular basis.

[ElizabethPangerl]

[quote="Ignatios"]Greetings,

1. How family oriented does ARMA tend to be?

2. Are there women who participate? Her main concern being is she going to be running into the testosterone wall, or is it accepted that women do this, with most of the traditional "hang-ups" concerning gender not happening?

-----
Hi -

I'm a woman who has participated in ARMA with my husband for just under a year.

Here's my take on your questions:

1. My husband Steve and I celebrated our last anniversary by going to an NTP 1.0 and we're spending our anniversary weekend this year by going to the Columbus study day. I would say being able to share an interest like the martial art of historical fencing is intellectually and physically stimulating and it has enabled us to spend more time and more enjoyable time together. In terms of being family-oriented, I think it sets a good example and contributes to the quality of the time we spend with kids. Steve's shown the two youngest of his five sisters a few techniques that could be used for self-defense and the kids like to watch us practice (his mother and grandmother not so much).

2. If you do a search here on the forum, there was an interesting thread a while back called something like "dude look a chick with a sword" or something like that. There seem to be several other active women. I haven't encountered any anti-female sentiment as only female at the NTP in Appleton last fall - everyone was super nice and I look forward to seeing some of them again in 15 days and meeting some new friendly faces as well.

As far as gender hang-ups go, there have been three consistent issues that come up with women. These concern the women being able to work up the proper mental and physical intent when facing an opponent and acquiring adequate safety gear. There are other threads on the forum that address these issues and the article previously mentioned is helpful as well. Best of luck!

[Brian Hunt]

The ARMA Provo Study Group has several female practitioners. They even have a form of baby/child sitting service to help those with small children (such as myself being a single parent) be able to attend and practice. I have never seen any problems with bad attitudes or testoterone hurtle for females practitioners in ARMA, instead I have seen the reverse, encouragement and lots of willing help despite gender.

Good luck

Brian Hunt
GFS

[John_Clements]

How family oriented??? I'm not sure how family oriented one can be with a subject focusing on reconstruction of historical fighting arts (as opposed to an escapist social historical-fantasy subculture like the Sca). All our members are fighters or scholars or else combinations of the two. But, as the father of a toddler, I have had no problem keeping my family involved in our club's non-combat actvities where suitable. We have also had at least 5 marriages between club members in the past 6 years, my own included.

Our events are about training and practicing, but when able we always do something social with everyone afterwards, wives and kids included. And a few times, at larger events we have made arrangements for non participant family members to be pleasantly occupied on their own.

JC