Do you think it is right to be able to gain a black belt in any martial art if you are under the age of 16?

Question

I believe that a child does not have the mature mind and physical skills to obtain a black belt in ANY martial art. I practice a couple of martial arts - mostly Judo and Jui jitsu, but I think that unless you can physicaly practice your art , eg. full contact, I don't think you have learnt all you need to know and thus a black belt should not be given.

Answer 1

This is a good question, though possibly divisive. No I do not think it is right to compare a genuine black belt to any sort of junior system designed to attract children.This is one of the black-eyes of the McDojo system. Of course every imaginative child interested in the martial arts wants to be a black belt. But, many of these kids have not ever heard the word "no" at home. Any honorable Martial Artist, should not be afraid to teach them that they can't have everything in life just because they "want" it now. Many things in life require patience. Jr. Black Belts and the like are about making money.

I realize of course that this trend is going to do nothing but grow. The kids want it and the parents are willing to pay. But, this only teaches children that there is a way to achieve long term goals in a short period of time. In reality this is not always going to be the case. It isn't about performing a kata, but understanding why you are doing it, and the answer is not "to get a black belt".

I do not think there are many children mature enough to earn a genuine black belt at age 16, in my opinion. This is based on my high level of respect for a symbol that I was taught was given to those who had mastered a style within the arts. If a child of that age is mature enough, then he/she is mature enough to understand that some things must wait until they are 18. I began at age 6, and I certainly understood and accepted that there were no child black belts. A lot has changed since the late 1960's, but a lot as remained the same. You can't vote, sign a genuine contract, take out a loan, join the military, and plenty more until you are 18.

I found one school on Google where not one of the Instructors appears to be over 16. This website doesn't appear to be a joke. They award black belts to those as young as 12 according to the website, junior or not, that is too young.
Click on the instructors link.
http://www.pskc.biz/instructors.html

By the way, if you search for Karate, Black Belt, Junior Black Belt, you will get a heck of lot more results than just the example I posted.

Comparing China to the West is apples an oranges. I also have seen adult black belts who didn't appear to be practicing for more than a few months. The fact is some adults are no more mature than some 12 year old kids. But, I don't believe the schools who offer these programs are doing it for the love of martial arts or the benefit of children. I do accept those who believe in the positive aspects of these schools I only ask that you respect my right to disagree.

Answer 2

You hear this question or type of statement usually from strict, overzealous traditionalists that are trying to out do their Asian counterparts. I usually say something to them like "tradition has it's place and is important but if you drove a car to the studio tonight instead of ridding a horse then it obviously also has it's limitations".

While the "physically practice" and "full contact abilities" of a martial art are important I don't think you can just discard some of the other aspects like confidence, skill, knowledge, understanding and individual development. Most children if they start at eight or nine and study for five years and attain their black belt are then twelve or thirteen and while they may not be able to defeat a full grown adult they can certainly hold their own against the playground bullies. Someone else mentions here that a black belt only means that they have mastered the basics and this is a traditional view point that has been held in Japanese and Okinawan martial arts ever since I started which was in 1963 with Judo and later with Shoto-Kahn in 1972. Also in Japan they have thirteen and fourteen year old black belts who started when they were seven or eight.

If you apply your standard then most women would never qualify for black belt status either. I think you have to look a little further beyond that standard and realize that that thirteen year old black belt is probably on the road to surpassing your skill and abilities and mine at an earlier age if they continue their training. I think your question is more valid than just the strict traditionalist's especially with a child getting a black belt after only a year or two of training but not all children or young teens fall into that category. Some have attended classes probably more in five years of training than most adults attend in eight or nine years of training and those young black belts at schools with good instructors and high standards can usually stand on their own skills and abilites better than a lot of adult black belts can.

Answer 3

You ask a question of age but then imply that it is a question of skill...

Realistically if a person can do the required things to obtain the grade then allow them to hold the rank whether they be 14 or 68.

There seems to be much more focus on time spent being the only indicator of a persons skill. There is a guy at my academy that has been training for almost 10 years and he is not worthy of the rank that he has obtained, he only got it because he has been doing it for so long.

Personally I have no problem with young people obtaining a high grade, I just have a person with a low skill level obtaining a high grade.

In China most people begin their martial arts journey around the age of 5 or 6, by the time that they are 16 they would have put in more time and effort and be at a higher skill level than most people will in a lifetime in western culture. So again it is a matter of skill end of story.

Most schools seem to have different levels for kids and adults anyway and require the kids to update their levels when they hit a certain age.

Answer 4

Most black belts given to children under 16 are called Junior black belts and re take there 1st Dan when 18 years of age. Don't worry the training from the start is hard and they learn a lot and should be given a Black belt for there hard work and commitment to training. Most insurances company's wont insure the Black belt to instruct a class until he/she is 18 years of age. To obtain a Black belt means you have trained hard and learnt a lot but in the martial art world you are just at the beginning of the learning circle.Its like learning to drive to pass your test and then in life you learn to drive. It keeps children off the streets away from guns and huddies and drugs so let em do the training that's what I say and give them encouragement My master always said`LOOK THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD AND YOU WILL LEARN`.

Answer 5

Black Belt, Yellow Belt, whatever! I've trained in martial arts for 20yrs and taught for 8yrs. I've met many adults who have attained the rank of black belt but dont have the first idea of self protection, or have any more chance of defending themselves than someone who has not trained at all. I reached second Dan at about 18yrs, but looking back I had no idea about what it is what all really about. All I was bothered about was winning another medal at a competion.
It does no harm having young black belts, as long as they are training hard and meeting the requirements that are set. Like me they will develop in time, if they have the strength and determination to stick it out and try to learn as much as possible.

Answer 6

i believe if the black belt demonstrates the proper skill that is required, it is fine that they achieve that rank. however, that is only if they demonstrate the understanding of the rank they hold and the maturity to use it properly. also, if they continue their training, then there isn't anything wrong with it. i do feel that is wrong to award a black belt to a student that just pays for the belt, but does not demonstrate any of those qualities. sure, recieving a BB can help you confidence, but it's not the same as getting a star on your coloring even if you go out of the lines. it's not something to be given to a child just to make them feel good about themselves when they may lack the skill level required of a black belt.

Answer 7

I have been in martial arts for 17 years. Starting my career in tae kwon -do then and since free-style kickboxing. And in that time. I have watched and thought many diffrent style. And come across many junior black belt. ( junior ) as in under 16. Some of wich champion in there martial arts. And all the ones that i have seen. Have been better than some adult black belts. So yes. There is nothing wrong with under 16's in my option to be black belts. There have passed there grades and worked hard for them. They deserve them like any other student training towards his or her goal as a black belt. I just wish i had took up martial arts much younger than i did. I'm a 4th dan.

Answer 8

I have no problem with the awarding of Junior Black Belts. Because that is what they are "Junior" and the test is retaken when they are old enough to add in the elements they may have missed. Our organistation has Cadets also who are between 15 and 18.
What I think is an issue is some organisations giving their Junior Black Belts the title of Sensei. Most of the adult BlackBelts in our club (including myself) would object to that title. We have only one Sensei.
I posted on another thread that my son is a Cadet Nidan at 15. To get this he graded with the adults and he fought adults in the kumite element, and beat them. He has trained in Karate for 10 years probably longer than some of the adults he graded with.

Answer 9

Yes, though it depends on what the black belt signifies for you. A black sash for us signifies that a student has obtained a detailed understanding of the curriculum and is able to demonstrate it to a high level. I have students who will receive their black sash by 14 / 15 but that is because they have trained diligently and been assessed regularly. If they have managed to pass all of their tests then we see no reason to hold them back. That means though that a student will not attain that rank unless they can show us that they are more than capable of representing their school.

Answer 10

I believe that a black belt should be awarded on skill, behaviour, and attitude.

In my club a child of 8 has just been awarded his black belt. He trains hard, behaves impeccably, and is very respectful towards the other members of the club. His kata is perfect and he has taught me (27) two senior katas.

Personally I see no reason why he should not hold a black belt.