I think there is a natural confidence both men and women get when they feel they can reasonably defend themselves should they need to. I did muay thai for awhile and I noticed I was more comfortable walking the streets at night and less uncomfortable with physically aggressive people. I think as a man that is important.

It's also very important for women too. I am definitely going to put my daughter in martial arts when she gets a bit older. My wife studied Krav Maga for years and told me a story of this hyper aggressive guy that was hitting on her and her friends at a bar many years ago, trying to touch them, getting in their faces and she grabbed his hand, put him in and wrist lock and said "I know martial arts, don't make me hurt you". Dude left them alone after that.