Black Belt and Ages

[Muaythaiboxer]

in my opinion a BB before the age of 16 is bad idea. every time i see a 6 year old running around with a BB it just makes my BB that much less respected i personally think delaying the promotion is a good idea.

[MasterH]

What's you thoughts on a 6 y/o running around with a junior black belt, or some type of chodan?

[tkdBill]

in my opinion a BB before the age of 16 is bad idea. every time i see a 6 year old running around with a BB it just makes my BB that much less respected i personally think delaying the promotion is a good idea.

Why would you draw the line at 16?? As the father of two teenage boys and an instructor to quite a few more, it is my opinion that maturity actually goes down around that age. If a line must be drawn it should be after 20 or somewhere between 8 and 12.

Wouldn't you agree that an 11 year old who has been working just as hard, just as long, and has the same proficiency as a 16 year old should be given a BB? If not a BB, then what would you give him? Would he reach a point where his training and advancement would no longer progress?

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[MasterH]

TKDBill,

Understood, and I tend to agree with you. But if there was a line to draw in the sand (so to say) 16 would be a good place to start. Why? Who knows? Some could say at 16 they may need that extra bit of attention and self worth a Chodan "1st deagee" would bestow. I still like the idea of junior or recomended black belts untill whatever age is required.

[Menjo]

in my opinion a BB before the age of 16 is bad idea. every time i see a 6 year old running around with a BB it just makes my BB that much less respected i personally think delaying the promotion is a good idea.

I agree, it also sometimes creates a bad image for martial arts...

[hammer]

I have several young Black Belts in my school, one as young as 9. He's been training since age 5, and he is every bit as talented and proficient as any adult 1st degree I have seen.

In our association, if someone can pass the test, we do not hold them back because of age. They also get no consideration for their age when testing. The standards are EXACTLY the same whether the candidate is 9 or 29.

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That's the way it is at the club that I go to...and as long as the standards are consistent, I don't have a problem with it.

The way that the standards are at the club I'm in, however, it's very tough for someone younger than 14 or 15 to be approved for testing for BB...

[Muaythaiboxer]

i actually would say junior black a 16 and full BB at 18 just my two cents.

and in my opinion there is no way a 9 year old could be as proficient as a teen or adult if they had trained for the same time. and i dont see what the big deal is in makeing them wait if they quit they where never in it for the art any way and only in it for the title.

[taiji fajin]

What does a black belt mean to you guys? Straight textbook memorization of how things should be done, or the ability to do them? Does character, spirit, etc, come into it? A 16 year old, however skilled, is going to have a tough time fighting a mature 35 year old who is in halfway decent shape. A 16 year old simply has not matured enough. An 18 year old still has a lot of maturing to do. I would not give a black belt to anyone under 21. Even that seems like a fairly early age to me.

[MasterH]

What does a black belt mean to you guys? Straight textbook memorization of how things should be done, or the ability to do them? Does character, spirit, etc, come into it? A 16 year old, however skilled, is going to have a tough time fighting a mature 35 year old who is in halfway decent shape. A 16 year old simply has not matured enough. An 18 year old still has a lot of maturing to do. I would not give a black belt to anyone under 21. Even that seems like a fairly early age to me.

Again, it maters on how things are done in the MA or Org you're affiliated with. I have no arguement with what you said. I was a 13 y/o 1st Degree, 14 y/o 2nd Degree, 18 y/o 3rd degree. But that's how my org was structured. And I turned out.............a bit messed up, but nothing to do with being a 13 y/o Black Belt! lol

[tkdBill]

in my opinion there is no way a 9 year old could be as proficient as a teen or adult if they had trained for the same time. and i dont see what the big deal is in makeing them wait if they quit they where never in it for the art any way and only in it for the title.

I have a 9 year old student who is just incredible in what he can do. I don't see what the big deal is about letting him EARN his black belt. I am proud of his accomplishments and I was proud to award him his black belt. He deserves it.

There are plenty of McDojos giving black belts to people who don't deserve them. I don't award them to anyone who does not deserve them, nor do I deny them to anyone who does.

Those of you who think that children should not be allowed to earn a black belt need to get over it. The horse is already out of the barn (and has been for a couple of decades) Most martial arts schools, even the non-McDojos, have been awarding black belts to deserving children for many years.

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