Frankly speaking, I believe every girl should actually learn some kind of martial art.  If you are doing it right, there are plenty of instructors out there that really push you, and most girls could learn to suck it up a little bit and thicken up their skin.  The really good instructors can be a bit harsher with words and expectations.  But that’s what makes them good, and frankly that’s what makes you really able to use it to defend yourself in the future if that’s the key and workout if that’s your key goal.  I mean I used it for both purposes. 

But this being said, it also teaches discipline.  Especially when you get to the black belt tests, it’s not just remembering forms, kicks, all of that good stuff.  It’s actually essay writing among other things, it’s a complicated thing that requires some degree of dedication, and it’s an accomplishment.  This being said, everybody should really be using it in general.  But frankly speaking, the best use for it for some people is working out.  If you are taking kickboxing, chances are you are not learning real self defense moves and you’re going to your local gym.  So that’s definitely purely for workout benefits.  But when it comes right down to it, just about any martial art could really be a great form of exercise and otherwise.