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?

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.

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.

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