Why join a McDojo?

Question

Why do people join mcdojos? Where you can weigh 300 pounds and get a blackbelt for throwing kicks barely above waist level.

Answer 1

Its a problem that is not just in martial arts. People want instant gratification. They don't want to work eight years to achieve a blackbelt from a good school when they can go to a "popular" school and get one in two years by showing up and learning a few forms. Its sad but true, and the teachers that are facilitating this behavior are scandalous.

Answer 2

I would imagine for many different reasons they join, the first of which bieng they don't know it is a mcdojo.

I think the most important question would be why do they stay?

Interesting article re: mcdojos.

http://www.bullshido.net/modules.php?name=Reviews&file=viewarticle&id=3

Mcdojos con the uninformed. I think the sense of not wanting to admit that they wasted thier time and money keeps them there. No one wants to admit they have been conned, it is embarrassing to admit you were a victem- thats exactly what these people are- victims.

Just as sure as if they were beaten on the street by the imaginary attacker that they went to the mcdojo to learn to protect themselves against in fhe first place. They were robbed and became a victim.

Throwing kicks barely above waist level- is not a bad thing- low kicks are generally going to be the most effective kind you will throw. While higher kicks might have a use in some cases- a fighter can do extremely well without ever throwing a high- or mid level round house kick (it does improve your flexability- that isn't wrong).

EDIT: no, they shouldn't be degraded, the first guy is right- however, they should be HELPED. Letting them be is not helping them it is hurting them. I'm not going into a "good citizens" requirement, this is the U.S. we don't believe in good samaritan laws and we shoudn't. However, I do believe we have a moral obligation to say something as we are dealing with a situation where a person can get really hurt- if they don't want to hear it, then it becomes thier problem. Sometimes helping these people might seem like helping an alcoholic, addict or person with a mental disorder to seek help (change schools or look into it further). I seriously think, like addiction- the first step is admitting you have a problem.

EDIT2: Thats why my child will study properly or start out with boxing or grappling at a higher intensity (grappling is probably psycologically healthier for a young child) when they are young. Its thier choice though, just like it is mine to put them up for adoption if they don't make the right one.

Answer 3

Good question. There is a McDojo that teachs Karate or TaeKwonDo. It's great for getting into shape, but can't hardly be used for competition or self-defense.
McDojo's do serve some purposes... For kids.. It's cheaper than daycare, gives them something to do, and a sense of accomplishment.
for older teens to adults, they get some exercise and get to feel an "Ultimate Fighter" for an hour or two.

Those that are serious about Martial Arts, may start off there, realize it is not going anywhere, and join a well established Martial Art Dojo, Boxing Gym or Studio to further their studies. Maybe even joining a fight "camp".

Answer 4

Unless you see a sign on the front that says 'Mc Dojo', I doubt you would even know if you saw one. The reason these guys make money is because they are good at selling their art. Chances are, the town you live in only has a couple of choices anyway. If you are a kid, your parents aren't likely to send you to a hardcore gym where you see guys with bruises and knee braces everywhere. So they go to a school that advertises a 'family friendly' environment. People study martial arts for different reasons and of course fighting isn't 'family friendly', but exercises, discipline, and self control are all aspects of martial arts that can be 'family friendly'.

As a kid, I studied at one of these 'family friendly' schools. None of the black belts were over 18. I don't believe that they ever gave anyone the idea that they could fight. In fact, we never trained with realistic scenarios. All the emphasis was on tournament competition. We did have students roll through that appeared to want to learn how to fight, but they quickly realized that this was not the school for that and they eventually moved on.

Even with this type of school, I found that my self confidence went up and projected outward. Because I no longer looked like a victim, the bullies went and found someone else to pick on. I eventually moved on and found that I wanted more out of my martial arts training and found a school that did teach realistic self defense. It opened my eyes to the flaws in my previous training. However, that training did increase my endurance and flexibility so it was not a total waste.

Answer 5

So they can brag that their kid is a green or brown belt. I have a co worker whose daughter is in one of the mcdojo. She is only like 6 or 7 and has a high ranking belt - green. She was in the office and gave us a little demonstration. It was nice kata and all but there was nothing behind it. My girl who is also 6 has been in a martial arts class for over a year. She is just now a yellow belt and her skill level is a world above my coworkers daughter. I would never be rude and say something like that but it was painfully obvious to me.

Answer 6

Personally, I think 50% of McDojo attendees join because they honestly don't know any better...out of ignorance of the martial art that they are "studying." I mean that respectfully, because it is very difficult to find factual and (relatively) unbiased information about the martial arts...especially on the Internet, where anyone with time can create a website claiming to offer the "true story" of so-and-so martial art and who's who in that art. It's extremely difficult to research a teacher's credentials if you know nothing about that particular martial art or even where to start looking or who to ask. Also, if you live in a rural area or even a mid-sized town, your options are considerably limited as to what you study and under whom.

That being said, the other 50% join a McDojo because they are "belt collectors." That is, their primary motivation is to get that black belt so they can brag to friends, family & foe alike...and McDojo cater to that crowd.

Answer 7

I do not know. Perhaps they have low self esteem.

A McDojo is a school that teaches a watered-down and impractical form of martial arts in the name of making money.

These places are dangerous due to the aspect that they send unprepared & often over confident students into a world thinking they can fight when in actuality they have no real fighting skills.

Answer 8

I created a site so as to Show what to at least expect, it's free it's fun and it offers alot of other interesting Sport activities. Today we have Violence all around us, Martial Arts should not only stand for it as well.
www.KrackedSkullz.com
Be Part Of The Problem
Or Part Of The Solution

Answer 9

Lack of knowledge. Most, if not all who join those types of schools have probably never trained, or don't know what to look for in a quality school or instructor.

I have a difficult time believing that people knowingly join that type of school, and then stay there despite the lack training they receive.

Answer 10

Well, lack of knowledge, as mentioned above.

Also, some people are looking more for a good way of doing exercise, so as far as that goes, it qualifies.
It's also good for kids' self-esteem as they're still doing a sport, but the more serious student will get bored quickly.