Not to mention that the kicks are only effective at the optimal turning radius or distance. I've been studying about 5 years, first in tkd and gracie jujitsu, more recently in tai chi.
Tai chi and akido are both "internal;"they train timing and balance over strength and technique. It takes much longer to learn these techniques, but they can be assimilated into harder styles. Young students should probably learn basic self defense first anyway; scars and krav maga are both effective distillations.
Why do I like internal arts? They teach you to keep your head. Many assaults, or invasions, are not physical;it's usually about someone crowding you out or trying to intimidate. I think the internal arts sensitize a person ,psychologically as well as physically, to both kinds of insult. One last thing: these arts are more "literate;" they've been around longer and have been extensively documented. That sort of thing becomes important once you round 40 and your knees start to creak.