I would highly recommend enrollment in a grappling art like BJJ or Judo for a couple of important reasons:So I'm curious what other parents have done for their children?
1. They are EFFECTIVE, and they are effective primarily due to technique and leverage, NOT strength or power.
2. Both arts have an active competition element based on the actual techniques they train with, unlike karate and tae kwan do that use a point system basically based on playing tag.
3. Both arts can stop a threat WITHOUT causing the damage often associated with strikes. While you can certainly damage an individual, pain compliance can be enough to stop or discourage further attacks by themselves without resorting to breaking a nose, busting teeth, etc...
Females will generally be attacked by larger and stronger adversaries, and while striking and kicking can be effective, the disparity in size and power will reduce the effectiveness of those techniques. The grappling arts significantly reduce this disparity. I've rolled with some pretty good females on the mat, and while they can't match the upper body strength, many make up for it with good technique, and excellent lower body coordination using their legs.
Competition instills confidence, and provides valuable experience that can be applied real world when needed. A confident individual is FAR less likely to be targeted than is the individual that shows a lack of confidence in spirit, and in the way they carry themselves. The first little boy in school that picks on her, and gets submitted and made to apologize, will be the LAST little boy that picks on her.
The structure and discipline instilled in training will carry over to other aspects in their life. Unlike the resentment created when parents enforce discipline, it's O.K. for the trainer to be the "bad guy", and parents can benefit just as much as trainers from the discipline and respect demanded by a good school.
Of course, I would also recommend the standard American technique of teaching the fundamentals of firearms with an air rifle, than a .22, and working up to center fire arms of various types.
IMO, that's how ALL kids should be raised.
:)