assuming that this is a reputable establishment? nope...great idea...this world is a real shitty place and, if all he learns is a little bit about defending himself and the confidence to exercise that knowledge when he needs to, it will be time/money well spent...he's a dude...a dude should know how to fight.
Martial arts are a great way to channel unacceptable behavior in aggressive kids and a great way to build confidence in kids with poor self esteem. I think it's a great idea.
omg...did you ever watch a high school (or grown up, for that matter) fight bewteen 2 completely untrained participants? fucking pitiful...if one of the dudes has even a couple of years of junior olympic (i.e., kiddie) wrestling experience, it's usually a pretty short and embarrassing and painful affair for the other combatant. knowing how to throw a punch and knowing what it feels like and how to deal with taking one, is a valuable skill...they should teach it in school...but they never would in this feminized (no offense to the warrior-women...particularly present company ), namby-pamby, sissy-ass world that we live in.