Kyle-san Posted April 3, 2003 Posted April 3, 2003 I'm a firm believer in the need to be an adult before getting a black belt. However, that doesn't necessarily mean the legal age, but when a student is mature enough to handle the black belt. A good example of this is the fact that samurai were considered adults at the age of 15. I know that I was 13 and ready to test for my BB and I did consider myself fairly mature. Looking back on it, I'm sure I would have been an alright BB, but I would have been much better if I had been ready to test 3 or 4 years later. It's not that there's anything against teenagers and that we're "jealous" of our accomplishments, but there's no way someone who's 13 has the same maturity and experience as someone who's 20 or 21. It all depends on the person, though. I've seen people that are 25 or 30 and definately shouldn't have their black because they just aren't mature enough to handle it. It's not about a specific age at all.
Bretty101 Posted April 3, 2003 Posted April 3, 2003 A student should be graded to a set standard reguardless of age or gender (etc). If the 13yr old has attanded this standard which is the same for everyone then fair enough!! If i was training at the club i don't think i would find a 13yr old 3rd dan very inspiring! Each to their own! Bretty (2nd dan, nearly been training 13yrs!)
fungku Posted April 3, 2003 Posted April 3, 2003 At my Kung Fu school, for black sash testing you had to fight all 6 sifus (they are from different areas around the province, and all 6). They would then test your abilities. I don't think a 13 year old would be able to defend themselves against adults effectively, even if they have all the skills required. I think Junior BB is a good idea, and that when you are 16 you should be able to test for a juniour, and when you are 18 you should be able to test for an adult one. I'm not discriminating or jealous of teens, I recently just was one. Visit Shaolin, Chinese Martial Arts - I don't fear the 10,000 techniques you've practised once, I fear the one technique you've practiced 10,000 times. -
WolverineGuy Posted April 3, 2003 Posted April 3, 2003 I've heard varying opinions on this...I personally think that under eighteen year olds lack the maturity to carry themselves as blackbelts...however, this is not universally true. My style has lowered the age requirement to 16...I wasn't necessarily in favor of this, but I wasn't TOTALLY opposed. Its not that I don't think that our 16 year olds can't handle it, but it sends a message to parents that if their kid isn't a black belt by the time that they are 16 (or whatever age for the particular dojo), that they should go to another school. Eh, I'm rambling... Wolverine1st Dan - Kalkinodo"Shut up brain, or I'll stab you with a q-tip""There is no spoon."
gheinisch Posted April 3, 2003 Posted April 3, 2003 My Hanshi will not promote anyone to Black Belt below the age of 18. I feel that is a good policy. IMHO. I know some may disagree. "If your hand goes forth withhold your temper""If your temper goes forth withold your hand"-Gichin Funakoshi
omnifinite Posted April 3, 2003 Posted April 3, 2003 If a kid knows everything they need to know for black belt at 16 and they quit because they couldn't actually receive it until they were 18, are they really cut out for it anyway? 1st Dan HapkidoColored belts in Kempo and Jujitsu
BKJ1216 Posted April 3, 2003 Posted April 3, 2003 If a kid knows everything they need to know for black belt at 16 and they quit because they couldn't actually receive it until they were 18, are they really cut out for it anyway?Not really it mostly shows they want to have the belt more than they actually want to learn karate. White Belt- Shudokan Karate
Withers M.A.A. Posted April 3, 2003 Posted April 3, 2003 The biggest factor in being a "blackbelt" is Maturity. If someone quits because they can't wait then that shows they lack patience which in turns shows they haven't learned anything from the Martial ARts. 2nd Degree black belt in Kenpo Karate and Tae Kwon Do. 1997 NASKA competitor-2nd place Nationally in Blackbelt American Forms. Firearms activist!
BKJ1216 Posted April 3, 2003 Posted April 3, 2003 The biggest factor in being a "blackbelt" is Maturity. If someone quits because they can't wait then that shows they lack patience which in turns shows they haven't learned anything from the Martial ARts. Why does it even matter anyway? If they've showen enough maturity to make it to the level of black belt, then they must be mature enough to actually get it. The only possible reason I can see for this is some immature kid going and thinking he's invincable because he has a BB and getting in fights. White Belt- Shudokan Karate
Martial_Artist Posted April 3, 2003 Posted April 3, 2003 It depends. If that child has fulfilled every requirement the art has for attaining a blackbelt then to not award the rank is prejudice. However, if the child has not fulfilled every single requirement then a BB should not be awarded. This would vary from school to school. If maturity is not a requirement set apart by the school for attaining blackbelt, then if the child otherwise does everything for that blackbelt then a BB should be awarded. Now, whether or not that child should teach is a different story. A teacher must have years of experience, a custom life path that in which that person has learned lessons and how to apply them to the art or vice versa. A child simply cannot do this. They just haven't lived long enough on the earth. Also, remember, if that child receives a BB it doesn't really mean anything in particular. Being a BB doesn't automatically make you a master or a good fighter. It is more a symbol that you have put forth the effort to learn the art you are studying. Mastery and becoming a good fighter, while intertwined somewhat with getting a BB, are more personal and not fully determinate upon the Black Belt. How BB do you know who do not know how to fight or teach? MA "I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination.Imagination is more important than knowledge.Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." Einstein
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