Is Jiu-Jitsu Sexist?

People have many questions and concerns about jiu-jitsu before they commit to trying it as a hobby. Some of those concerns are mild and prove to be inconsequential to your training experience. Other potential issues, like the prevalence of sexism in jiu-jitsu, are far more worrisome.

The techniques and principles of jiu-jitsu are not inherently sexist. However, incidents of sexism do occur in the jiu-jitsu community more often than one would hope. But while some gyms foster a sexist environment, others train jiu-jitsu in an entirely positive way that can empower anyone regardless of their sex. 

Sexism is an unfortunate reality of our society, and the jiu-jitsu community is not immune to this toxic mindset. But if we ignore the presence of sexism in jiu-jitsu, it does nothing to resolve the problem. Our aim with this article is to reveal some specific examples of sexism in jiu-jitsu so that you can know what to expect when you begin training. 

Examples of Sexism in Jiu-Jitsu

Saying that jiu-jitsu is sexist does not accurately depict the problem. Instead, we should be specific about the most pressing examples of sexism in jiu-jitsu so that all practitioners can begin working together towards greater inclusivity.

De Facto Exclusion of Women

Jiu-jitsu is a male-dominated hobby, as is the case with many combat sports. Many gyms consist entirely of male practitioners or have only a few female members.

Having more men than women in a jiu-jitsu gym does not guarantee that those men will act in an explicitly sexist manner. However, it’s easy to see how feelings of exclusion can arise.  

It is a rare person that enjoys feeling like they don’t belong. Unfortunately, the high proportion of men in jiu-jitsu can create a sense of discomfort for female practitioners. Since men are the majority, it’s only natural that many women feel that their thoughts, feelings, and abilities don’t garner as much respect as those of their male counterparts.

Prominent Practitioners Express Sexist Views

We won’t use this section to slander any specific names. But if you have followed jiu-jitsu interviews closely over the years, then you know that some famous and well-respected jiu-jitsu practitioners have expressed sexist views. Sadly, some of the most influential community members have been so antiquated in their thinking that they claim women should not train jiu-jitsu at all.

Hearing such sexist views from jiu-jitsu representatives is not only repulsive, but it is also incredibly ironic. Many of the same practitioners who espouse sexist views will simultaneously advertise jiu-jitsu as beneficial to all people. The true harm in those hypocritical statements is that many women, for whom jiu-jitsu can be most useful, will be discouraged from ever trying the art.

Male Insecurities

At face value, men have as much of a right to feel insecure as anyone else. In fact, practicing jiu-jitsu is an effective way for those men to gain confidence and deal with their insecurities in a healthy way. The real problem is how most beginner male practitioners express their insecurities on the mat, especially when training with female partners.

For many men, the prospect of losing to a woman in any physical activity is too humiliating to bear. In response to the perceived debasement of their pride, male BJJ practitioners will often respond in one of two ways. Either they will be exceptionally competitive with their female training partners to avoid losing at all costs, or they will avoid training with women entirely.

Neither of those attitudes contributes to a healthy training environment. However, many men continue to maintain those approaches to training with women, causing women to have fewer training partners with whom they can develop their skills safely.

The Moves of Jiu-Jitsu Themselves Are Not Sexist

In the introduction, we mentioned that the techniques of jiu-jitsu are not sexist. But this point is worth repeating based on the nature of some of the most common jiu-jitsu positions.

There’s no getting around the fact that many positions in jiu-jitsu resemble some of the most popular positions in sexual intercourse. Full guard, mount, and north/south are just a few examples. Likewise, jiu-jitsu involves close contact that may be uncomfortable to many, no matter what position you’re in.

Beginners should know that although many jiu-jitsu positions resemble intimate positions, they are not inherently sexual. This point is especially important for beginners who are concerned about unwanted sexual advances.

When a well-meaning jiu-jitsu instructor or training partner practices positions that may appear sexual, know that their intention is not to make you feel uncomfortable. However, if entering those positions remains distasteful to you, jiu-jitsu may not be the right hobby for you, and that’s ok.

Advice for Women Concerned about Sexism in Jiu-Jitsu

By no means is it the responsibility of those who experience sexism to fix the sexist attitudes that exist in jiu-jitsu. However, there are some tactics you can take to ensure your training experience is as sexism-free as possible:

• Find gyms that offer women’s classes: Woman-only jiu-jitsu classes remove many of the sexist thoughts and activities that many men bring into training.

• Observe a gym before you train there: Many gyms offer free trials. However, if you are worried about sexism, it’s wisest to observe a class at a new gym before you join. At times, watching a single training session will give you a clearer idea of that gym’s culture as it relates to sexism.

• Connect with other women in jiu-jitsu: When combating the sexist nature of the jiu-jitsu community, few strategies are as effective as developing a strong bond with other female practitioners. Communing with other women in jiu-jitsu can give you a greater sense of security and help you practice jiu-jitsu in a more rewarding way.

In an ideal world, those measures would not be necessary. But until that world comes into being, it’s sensible for female jiu-jitsu practitioners to consider the advice in the list above.

Advice for Men Concerned about Sexism in Jiu-Jitsu

Let’s be real. Men are the main reason sexism exists, while women are on the receiving end of the negative effects of sexist behaviors in essentially every case. As such, the onus is on male practitioners to alter their behavior and attitudes toward women. Here are a few somewhat obvious ways to make that change.

Don’t Avoid Female Training Partners

As mentioned above, some men resolve to never train with women, which is not a positive way to deal with the issue of sexism in jiu-jitsu. While that mentality may save your precious ego from the apparent embarrassment of “losing to a girl,” it also exacerbates the exclusion many women feel.

Discourage Sexist Comments and Behaviors

When a group of men talks to one another, it’s common for them to engage in a disappointing lack of respect for women. If you wish to help your gym become a place where all practitioners feel welcome, you need to discourage the sexist comments and behaviors your male training partners express. Silence in those moments allows sexism to continue to live on and further poison the martial arts community.

Think Beyond Yourself

It’s easy to adopt a somewhat self-centered approach to your jiu-jitsu training. However, as it relates to sexism, male practitioners should take more time to consider the perspective of their female training partners. Conscious efforts to understand the challenges women face in an already challenging activity can go a long way toward combating sexism and building greater respect for female jiu-jitsu practitioners.

Conclusion

Sexism affects our culture in innumerable harmful ways, and many of those harms are present in the jiu-jitsu community. However, there are some ways to circumvent the effects of a sexist jiu-jitsu community. More importantly, there are plenty of behavioral changes men can make to help women feel more welcome on the mats and reap the many benefits jiu-jitsu can offer.