Self-defense is one of the core tenets of survival. In some cases, that may mean protecting yourself against the natural dangers of your environment, and in others it means defending against individuals who actively try to harm you — or harm a loved one. This is why it's wise to study self-defense, and as explained by Breach-Bang-Clear's David Reeder in the following article, to proactively teach self-defense to those who you care about.

A basic knowledge of weak points (eyes, ears, groin, etc.) can aid in real-world self-defense. Photo: Michael Janich

In this article, Reeder specifically focuses on teaching the young women in your life to fight back against physical/sexual harassment or unwanted touch. A sudden and violent response sends a clear message that inappropriate touch will not be tolerated. So, if you have daughters or other young women in your life, we'd encourage you to read the following op-ed before having a conversation with them about this important subject. Then we'd encourage you to help them train and prepare to defend themselves by any means necessary.

Editor's Note: The following article was originally published by our friends at Breach Bang Clear. It appears here in its entirety with their permission. For more from the Mad Duo and crew, go to BreachBangClear.com or follow them on Facebook or Instagram. FYI, this article also contains some not-safe-for-work language.

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Teach your daughters, goddaughters, and nieces to fight. If you can’t, then pay someone to, and teach them that violence is acceptable. Teach them to hit people who touch them. Not tell the teacher, not complain to the Human Resources department, to hit them, as viciously as possible, immediately and publicly.

Testicles, throats, eyes — they’re all vulnerable.

Violence may not always be the answer, but when it is the answer, it’s usually the only answer. Including when, perhaps especially when, someone touches them without permission.

Speaking strictly to my nieces and goddaughters, I say: you bring me the scrotum of some dude who grabbed your boob or your butt, girls. I’ll reward you and turn it into a tobacco pouch.

I’d hold forth and talk more about this, but Jeff Rouner of the Houston Press already has, and he did a great job of it.

“I’ve started telling my daughter that if someone touches her chest, her ass or between her legs without her permission, to punch them in the goddamn face. Aim for the nose, Sweetheart. You don’t want to catch their teeth and get a cut. That’s a good way to get an infection. You want nose or eyes, and maybe use that front choke Daddy taught you. Turn your forearms so the bone goes against their carotid and jugular. That’s what makes them pass out.

Can she get in trouble for violence at school? Yes, she can, and should. Violence is illegal. Note: I didn’t say wrong. I said illegal. The two are not synonyms.”

Fuckin’ A.

Read the op-ed in its entirety here at the Houston Press. Then make the girls read it.

Hat tip to our own Tamara Keel, of View From the Porch.

“Is violence the ideal answer to sexual harassment? Of course it isn’t. The ideal answer is living in a world where this sort of thing is swiftly dealt with at all levels of authority with a zero-tolerance policy. Anytime y’all want to make that happen, you let me know. Until then, I’m teaching my daughter the proper way to throw a punch, and if you don’t like it, teach your kids the proper way to act.

Answering physical assault with physical assault is perfectly appropriate, and I have long since stopped caring about the concept of polite when it comes to those who feel boundaries are optional.”

Written by Patrick McCarthy