Shorinryu Sensei Posted November 2, 2003 Posted November 2, 2003 the youngest black i kno is 14. he's a 3rd dan too. A 14 year old 3rd Dan? Dang..I think I have more time in just tying my belt than that kid has been alive! I know there's nothing "wrong" with it..legally..but I'm sorry, I will always have problems with young kids with black belts. And 14 isn't THAT young for a BB, but for a 3rd Dan? I'm sorry...I just can't handle that. I knew a guy in Great Falls, Mt..a self-promoted "Master" of TKD (since deceased) that promoted a 6 year old to black belt. When he told me that, I just shook my head in disbelief. My nightly prayer..."Please, just let me win that PowerBall Jackpot just once. I'll prove to you that it won't change me!"
stl_karateka Posted November 2, 2003 Posted November 2, 2003 ShorinSensei -- Benjamins is slang for money....so when I said it was not about the Benjamins it was NOT about the money....knowing that...read my post again. As far as going to a 'commercial' school --- I'm not sure what you mean by that --- but 1. If you re-read my post you will see that was my old school, not my current school --- so your statement is inacurrate 2. I made it clear that contracts were not an issue it was understood that children under a certain age would be on a conditional contract....during staff meetings we would bring up children that we were concerned about --- more often than not their was a conference with their parents and their contract was canceled with an invitation to try again in 6-12 months. Now to me, that is giving everyone a fair chance. Its not like we say, well you enrolled your 4yr old and we are not going to teach him, but you signed a contract so you have to keep paying. And usually we can determine if a child is going to make it in the first 2 months. KarateForums.com Sempai
CsrCrz88 Posted November 2, 2003 Posted November 2, 2003 the youngest black i kno is 14. he's a 3rd dan too. A 14 year old 3rd Dan? Dang..I think I have more time in just tying my belt than that kid has been alive! I know there's nothing "wrong" with it..legally..but I'm sorry, I will always have problems with young kids with black belts. And 14 isn't THAT young for a BB, but for a 3rd Dan? I'm sorry...I just can't handle that. I knew a guy in Great Falls, Mt..a self-promoted "Master" of TKD (since deceased) that promoted a 6 year old to black belt. When he told me that, I just shook my head in disbelief. i'm sorry he's 15 and just got he's belt. he been doing Shaolin Kenpo Karate since he was 7, turning 8. He deserves it. I seen him perform and partices everyday. he shows alot of effort.
ninjanurse Posted November 3, 2003 Posted November 3, 2003 * DEJA VU!* This is certainly a well hashed out thread !! I say you should train anyone who is willing...after all, someone was gracious enough to teach you. "A Black Belt is only the beginning."Heidi-A student of the artsTae Kwon Do,Shotokan,Ju Jitsu,Modern Arnishttp://the100info.tumblr.com/
aefibird Posted November 3, 2003 Author Posted November 3, 2003 * DEJA VU!* This is certainly a well hashed out thread !! I say you should train anyone who is willing...after all, someone was gracious enough to teach you. Teaching the willing is one thing... teaching kids that have been brought by their parents because they thought it might be a 'fun thing' for them to do or gets them out of the house for a while - well, that is another matter. I fully agree that someone who is willing should be taught, I was just wondering what people thought an average 'appropriate' age for beginner students is. You get some mature children and some immature adults, so a "never teach anyone under the age of 12" rule (for example) wouldn't always work. "Was it really worth it? Only time and death may ever tell..." The Beautiful South - The Rose of My CologneSheffield Steelers!
Shorinryu Sensei Posted November 3, 2003 Posted November 3, 2003 Teaching the willing is one thing... teaching kids that have been brought by their parents because they thought it might be a 'fun thing' for them to do or gets them out of the house for a while - well, that is another matter. Agreed! I've found some parents use you as a babysitter for about $2.50/hour and have asked parents to take their kids out of class because they weren't there to learn, but rather to play. I don't agree that EVERYBODY that wants to learn should be taught though. An example: I've had, and I'm sure most sensei have seen this, had people come in that all they want to learn to do is learn how to beat somebody up better than they already do. Sorry, wrong attitude for me, and I won't take them.I was just wondering what people thought an average 'appropriate' age for beginner students is. This is going to vary with each individual instructor. Some will take students that are just learning to walk almost, while others will say adults only. I'm only teaching adults myself presently, or at least, "adult-sized" people. And yes, a short person, male or female ADULT, is welcome in my class. This brings me up to an interesting thought for a new thread..."Why do you teach?" My nightly prayer..."Please, just let me win that PowerBall Jackpot just once. I'll prove to you that it won't change me!"
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