Wing Tsun Kung Fu and Legal Aid for Single Fathers

On the surface, Wing Tsun Kung Fu might seem like an odd blend with the theme of essential legal needs. It’s an ancient martial art from the 19th century taught here in the Giza school in Egypt. It’s hard to imagine though that Wing Tsun Kung Fu, which is a dialect of Chinese martial arts, would have any connection to modern day family law issues and the essential legal need of legal aid that many single fathers require. Wing Tsun Kung Fu is a relationship-based system of martial arts teaching its practitioners how to respond to an attack within a certain space. Growing up in the Giza school, I’ve always seen this relationship-based way of thinking as empowering all practitioners of the art both physically and mentally.

The empowerment achieved through the art offers practical benefits, but it goes further by making a martial artist into a more resilient person. Martial arts teach us to be aware of our surroundings and teaches emotional intelligence. This is desperately needed by single dads who are not accustomed to having to think on their feet when it comes to parenting and legal issues. Training in Wing Tsun Kung Fu teaches mental discipline, physical awareness, emotional awareness, and stress relief.

There is an expression in Wing Tsun Kung Fu that says “a person in a conflict zone has no capability to meditate.” Meditation here refers to the process of thinking through each decision taking into consideration how each move you make will affect the rest of your life. That phrase is a reminder that a person in a conflict zone has lost their ability to think clearly and the ability to focus. A conflict zone can be anything from serious issues at work to legal issues that must be addressed immediately.

For single fathers, a conflict zone can be when they are trying to get to the bottom of a work-related issue, but they are constantly interrupted by phone calls and messages from opposing party in a court case, a judge, or a clerk. Understanding the importance of continuing to make decisions under stress is crucial, and of course, applying that thinking to bring forth goodness after adversities makes it all worthwhile. As the saying goes, “every cloud has a silver lining.”

So talking about Wing Tsun Kung Fu and martial arts aside, let’s view this through the lens of legal aid and essential legal needs. For most single dads facing divorce and separation, there is a fair amount of “stress” to deal with. Just the idea of having a day-to-day divorce battle and having to put food on the table is stressful for any parent who is not accustomed to handling a case independently. Children’s best interests must be met at all times, and it is a reminder that regardless of the circumstances, children need their fathers, sometimes more than ever.

Legal aid for single dads may be necessary to maintain one’s employment. It should be obvious that financial security is essential, especially in a single-parent household, and protecting your job should always come first. The natural instinct is to act quickly and defend yourself, but there are potential consequences to defending yourself in court or at work. For example, if you were to defend yourself poorly in one context, it could be used against you. The expression “no good deed goes unpunished” applies here.

As most family lawyers would tell you, doing what is best for your children is of utmost importance. When a divorce is imminent, costs certainly do add up. Typically, it takes a long time to reach a resolution unless assigned a family court judge, and limits are typically put in place. The cost of eventually having to go to court along with the family obligations can be costly. In the end, Wing Tsun Kung Fu teaches us the mental fortitude to continue forward, but sometimes, outside help is necessary.