View Full Version : Children at MMA Events
Although this post is instigated by Mark Coleman having his daughters at the Pride 32 event, It really is a general topic that could be applied to any MMA event.
Rarely, at local events I will see small children. Usually they are one of the fighters kids. I've always thought that they shouldn't be there. Seems to me that when they are that young they don't have the perspective to see anything but, "daddys getting hurt."
Anyone have a differing opinion?
Hunter
10-22-2006, 03:09 PM
All depends on the age and maturity level of the child. If it were my kids and they were into MMA and competing in events and I felt they were to an age were they could handle it, then I would take them. It all depends on the event and atmosphere though. I would not want my child around a bunch of drunks. I would definantly reasearch the organization putting on the event and what was tolerated in the past by them!
brvheart
10-22-2006, 03:13 PM
It definately depends on the situation...UFC ------ Jenna Jameson there ------NO, local BJJ tourny....yes.
Hunter
10-22-2006, 03:17 PM
Ha imagine that, we agree on something long time no see huh brvheart....;)
brvheart
10-22-2006, 03:18 PM
Ha imagine that, we agree on something long time no see huh brvheart....;)
bout time showed up...
Hunter
10-22-2006, 03:23 PM
Yea, I know I kinda got side tracked. Keep on me if you see me around:D
All depends on the age and maturity level of the child. If it were my kids and they were into MMA and competing in events and I felt they were to an age were they could handle it, then I would take them. It all depends on the event and atmosphere though. I would not want my child around a bunch of drunks. I would definantly reasearch the organization putting on the event and what was tolerated in the past by them!
It definately depends on the situation...UFC ------ Jenna Jameson there ------NO, local BJJ tourny....yes.
^^^That all sounds reasonable to me. I know that here wrestling tournaments are a family event. Some of the kids get into it as young as 4 or 5 years old.
The events I was referring to above are ones where the atmosphere is more like taking your kid to a bar.
Even if the drinking wasn't involved, If we are talking MMA, I think the kids would need to be a little older or exceptionally mature. The striking and bloodshed is the thing that is going to upset the little ones. We can look at it and see cuts as superficial, know someone is not seriously hurt, and will recover quickly. Don't think that a 7 year old can do that.
keithpas
10-22-2006, 05:14 PM
It depends on the age but in general I would choose to not have my daughter at an MMA event. If I was competing I would definitely not want her there. Kids should not see their father getting beat up, that is potentially traumatic for a child. Once the child is older and can inderstand what is happening then it would be different. In a related topic I saw a pro wrestling documentary and Mick Foley had his kids at a match and they were traumatized (as well as his wife) by seeing him beat bloody and mercilessly with a steel chair on is head. It was hard to watch his kids becoming more and more distressed every time he was hit with that chair. Foley admitted after that after seeing his kids reaction it was the only time he ever considered himself a bad parent. Even though MMA is not a staged event the principle is the same. Job #1 is to protect our kids and all other interests and considerations come second.
brvheart
10-22-2006, 05:22 PM
I have read about Colemans daughters crying in the ring etc...but have not seen...anyone have it from youtube or something so I can see what the fuss is about?
Easye1982
10-22-2006, 08:41 PM
I have read about Colemans daughters crying in the ring etc...
I have not seen his daughters cry at ring side. But I have seen Rich Franklin's wife cry her head off before..after...during every fight. Even when he wins without injury. It is a natural reaction to cry for those you care about. I have also seen alot of fighters with their families backstage with them at the match. If it was up to me I would ask my child if they wanted to come. I won't force my child to do anything.
In this day and age you can't stop anyone from doing anything. A child will get a fake ID to drink, drive, drink and drive, see "R'" and aove movies, buy video games with high ratings. If they want to see the fight...they will. So you may as well inform them that its ok, and its just for fun. That we are trained pros. and that we don't really want to hurt each other. And that they are not to use anything they learn on anyone else, unless they are in danger of being hurt.
We can draw a line as fine as you want down the middle of any topic....Are teachers not allowed to disect animals for classroom education....Are police not allowed to take kids for ride alongs....Do video games cause kids to be violent....I see no difference in watching a MMA fight at home on the TV or live at the event. Everyone one person, be it child or adult, is able to make their own decisions. So if that child can know and understand what is happening with dad in the MMA match...then I see it being no different then a child knowing their parent is a fire fighter, policeman, surgen, or a soldier. They are all graphic jobs. Oh and BTW just cause JJ may be in the stands does not mean the child knows who it is...not unless you told them. Besides she is there to support Tito...like the child is there to support their father. She is clothed...othen times better then the silly ring girls.
That should be the next topic...What's the bigger problem for kids at a MMA fight...the naked ring girls or the fight itself ;)
keithpas
10-23-2006, 12:29 AM
I have not seen his daughters cry at ring side. But I have seen Rich Franklin's wife cry her head off before..after...during every fight. Even when he wins without injury. It is a natural reaction to cry for those you care about. I have also seen alot of fighters with their families backstage with them at the match. If it was up to me I would ask my child if they wanted to come. I won't force my child to do anything.
In this day and age you can't stop anyone from doing anything. A child will get a fake ID to drink, drive, drink and drive, see "R'" and aove movies, buy video games with high ratings. If they want to see the fight...they will. So you may as well inform them that its ok, and its just for fun. That we are trained pros. and that we don't really want to hurt each other. And that they are not to use anything they learn on anyone else, unless they are in danger of being hurt.
We can draw a line as fine as you want down the middle of any topic....Are teachers not allowed to disect animals for classroom education....Are police not allowed to take kids for ride alongs....Do video games cause kids to be violent....I see no difference in watching a MMA fight at home on the TV or live at the event. Everyone one person, be it child or adult, is able to make their own decisions. So if that child can know and understand what is happening with dad in the MMA match...then I see it being no different then a child knowing their parent is a fire fighter, policeman, surgen, or a soldier. They are all graphic jobs. Oh and BTW just cause JJ may be in the stands does not mean the child knows who it is...not unless you told them. Besides she is there to support Tito...like the child is there to support their father. She is clothed...othen times better then the silly ring girls.
That should be the next topic...What's the bigger problem for kids at a MMA fight...the naked ring girls or the fight itself ;)
Sorry but I reject the line of thinking that says that kids should make their own minds up and that the parents should follow the childs lead. Do you think that the soldiers in Iraq right now would want their kids seeing them over there? My guess is no they probably would not. I personally know quite a few police officers and there are definitetly parts of their jobs that they would not want their kids exposed to. As a father of a teenager it was and is my responsibility to decide what is appropriate and not appropriate, thats why I'm the Dad and she's the kid. Someday she will be making all of these decisions for herself but for now, its me. If I think its not appropriate then that is final word and I live with the decision and the consequences of it. If my daughter can make a compelling case for herself then I would consider her feelings and her position. All this having been said I respect every parents decision with regards to their own kids and in no way should my posts be looked at as criticism of Mark Coleman.
BTW. My daughter thinks its silly to even have ring girls, especially at TUF fights where there is like 12 people there.
brvheart
10-23-2006, 03:24 PM
*grabs popcorn* this could get interesting....
ScienceGeek
10-23-2006, 04:21 PM
It definately depends on the situation...UFC ------ Jenna Jameson there ------NO, local BJJ tourny....yes.
What? What's wrong w/ Jenna?!?!
Probably it would be a better idea to take your kid to sparring, so that it's less of a risk of them seeing you get hurt, and they are given a chance to understand what you're doing. I don't know if any child, no matter how mature they are, can understand and know how to deal with the images they are being exposed to at a serious event. Whether the parent is getting pounded or doing the pounding, I think either case would be equally frightening. Just my thought- I'm no parent!
brvheart
10-23-2006, 04:27 PM
Jenna is a porn actress, I am not going to subject my kid to things like that willingly...
Easye1982
10-23-2006, 06:24 PM
Sorry but I reject the line of thinking that says that kids should make their own minds up and that the parents should follow the childs lead.
Someday she will be making all of these decisions for herself but for now, its me. If I think its not appropriate then that is final word and I live with the decision and the consequences of it. If my daughter can make a compelling case for herself then I would consider her feelings and her position.
All this having been said I respect every parents decision with regards to their own kids and in no way should my posts be looked at as criticism of Mark Coleman.
BTW. My daughter thinks its silly to even have ring girls, especially at TUF fights where there is like 12 people there.
100% I agree with you. Kids should be beat. Kids are just that kids..they have no world knowledge and MUST be led by the parents. That is a command in The Bible. I was not saying anything about kids should be allowed to run around all willy-nilly. I was simply saying that I would let my child make up their mind if they wanted to see me fight. I would not make them go if they did't want to. I love what your daughter said about the the ring girls....she is 100% right too. They have no need to be there at all and they make me mad, when their at TUF fights. When they show up at a real UFC event...you rarely see them, and when you do, the camera man just left from whatever the corner man was telling the fighter. Which makes me mad. I love kids and I have corrected other peoples children for the simply reason that their own parents did not love them enough to do it.
IMO letting your child decide on their own over this matter, is the same as letting them decide if they would rather play football or baseball....play the piano or the drums....be in the band or the choir. I would love for my kid to be present, just like I would want my wife present. I am sorry that I may be hurting them, by asking them to come...but we will all be ok by the end of the event. And we can all share in the victory...and be there when I loose to console me.
Kids should be beat.
Umm....is that what you meant to say Easye1982?
Easye1982
10-23-2006, 07:41 PM
yep. Spare the rod, spoil the child.
Proverbs 13:24
He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
Proverbs 22:15
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
Proverbs 23:13-14
13Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.
14Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
Proverbs 29:15
The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
brvheart
10-23-2006, 07:58 PM
don't take it out of context...i think you meant disiplined not beat...this is getting a smidge off topic....original question...kids at mma events
Easye1982
10-23-2006, 10:22 PM
Sorry but I reject the line of thinking that says that kids should make their own minds up and that the parents should follow the childs lead.
Sorry If I got carried away and or off topic. I was just thrown through a loop when I read his first sentence was all. I had no idea where he thaught I had said anything along those lines.
But TY all for getting this thread back on task...I await keithpas' return post ;)
keithpas
10-24-2006, 04:08 AM
Sorry If I got carried away and or off topic. I was just thrown through a loop when I read his first sentence was all. I had no idea where he thaught I had said anything along those lines.
But TY all for getting this thread back on task...I await keithpas' return post ;)
Upon re-reading your post I think I read more into it than was actually there. No arguements from this end of the peanut gallery.:thumb:
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