I've been reading through the Wayfair stuff from the past day or two & am reminded of why I initially got my son into taekwando. I recommend it for everyone. They'll learn self defense skills for sure, but the best thing they can learn is to yell when someone grabs them.
Many times kids do not say a word because they're too trusting of an adult that approaches them confidently. At our academy, each class has a section that teaches them how to yell and how to break grip. These two things might just save their lives and save you a lot of heartache.
u/ProphetBoi: I am unfortunately not training despite I really SHOULD but "taekwando" as self defence ? I don't know... But if I would be asked about martial arts worth of practice I would mention:
krav maga (israeli system) or sambo (russian system) and silat (old indochina system for use of weapons)
good or even possibly deadly ones. However I wouldn't trust krav maga,but getting russian sambo instructor in USA will be real pain of ass...
not being American,so not served in US military so I don't really know is MCMAP* cohesive system like sambo-sistema or not.
By the way about sambo being nearest military one - look for Kadochnikov.