I think you are all missing one thing: maturity. I am 14 and having been training in Shaoling kempo for 8 years. About a year and a half ago; I got my 1st degree black belt and have been working as an assistant instructor for a few months. I agree that some people are not mature enough to become black belts during their their teenage years, but some are. Some of you seem to define anybody under 16-18 as being weak. That is not the case. I am fairly strong for my age and do not mind taking a punch. I actually enjoy it. I reallize that where I am at in my training is a step above tthe rest of the people at my dojo, and I don't take my training lightly. 8 years of training and I wouldn't know what "real Karate" is? Again, its maturity and not age that matters completely. I do reallize what you all are saying. "young people are not mature enough to be a blackbelt" That is true of a lot of people. However, not all of today's youth is going downhill.
