Inspired by the Martial Arts thread

[DukeStreetKing]

I'll try to have this thread come off in the right light, but who knows how it will be taken.

I used to take TKD classes as an adult and there were plenty of children of various ages in an earlier class. A lot of these kids had some pretty high level belts, in fact a bunch were brown and black belts. Now remember these are little kids, 10 years old or younger.

Here's where I worry about how this thread will be received:

As a 40 year old man, I know I could kick these kid's butts if I had to, (and no I am not in the habit of beating up kids - ). So what good is awarding black belts to children? They may be able to defend themselves against other kids their own age but for the most part, their training and skill would be pretty much useless against a much older and larger person. Again, I was just about to test for my green belt before I had to stop due to financial reasons, so I know all about the various holds, stances, etc and I still don't think these kids could properly defend themselves against an adult.

I'm just curious what other's think about younger children attaining their black belts. I think you should have to reach a certain age before even being allowed to test for such a high level belt, maybe 16 or 18 years old.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Most martial arts aren't about kicking people's butts, but rather about the forms and techniques. Naturally, most 40 year old men could kick a 10 year old's butt, regardless of belt color or training. The TKD school that my DS goes to doesn't focus on the fighting aspects of the martial arts, although they do cover some self-defense along with the other areas.

 

[cardaway]

Most martial arts aren't about kicking people's butts, but rather about the forms and techniques.

Exactly, all about skill level and achievement. Don't confuse a WWE belt with a black belt.

 

[tiggersmom2]

My oldest son has been taking Tae Kwon Doe since he was 4, he is now 12 and yes, he does have a black belt. That being said, I think many of the instructors in TKD these days just "give" the children belts and don't make them work for it. As long as the parents are paying....the kid is going to get a belt. I have seen too many kids with sloppy posturing and forms to deserve the color belt they have.

I would have my son in the traditional Japanese karate form of S-hito-Ryu but he must reach the age of 16 before he can begin these classes.

 

[tkd lisa]

This comes up periodically in discussion. The tkd in my screen name is for Tae Kwon Do. I have a 2nd degree black belt, and taught part time for about 3 - 4 years.

****** Disclaimer, I haven't taught in 3 years, and my facts may be out of date, or slightly confused, but it's what I think****

Different arts and different schools have different policies on children with black belts. Some award a Poom instead of a Gup. In some schools, those with Pooms have a black and red belt, while others have the same belt, only their certificate is different. My last school had a policy that you had to be 10 to test for your black belt. We did have one girl who had started at 4. She earned her black belt at 8, but she was a strong Junior Olympic candidate, and clearly earned it. The master put the requirements in all the literature, and had a caveat that anyone younger than 10 had to have special qualifications and be recommended by all the school instructors (other candidates only needed 2 recommendations).

In fact, I think *** (World Tae Kwon Do Federation, which issues the "official TKD black belt certificates out of Korea) sets the age limit that distinguishes the two. For some reason, 16 sticks in my head as the distinction.

So why give kids a Black Belt?

Well, one aspect of it relates to the sport of Tae Kwon Do. TKD is an olympic event, and also a junior olympic event. For the most part, the "real" Olympic competition is for black belts only. They offer a tournament in conjunction with the "official" event for colored belts, but national champions are black belts only.

Also, almost every reputable school has the SAME requirements for anyone who achieves black belt. So if you are a 10 year old who has done everything the 18 year old did, wouldn't you think you should have the same rank? Same thing for the old farts out there (no offense please, our older members were awesome, and I personally consider myself an old fart, since when I tested for my 2nd degree, I was 3x as old as most of the people testing with me!).

The final thing you mention was their ability to defend themselves against an adult. Again, a good question that comes up from time to time. And again, it can apply to an older person, or a small adult (I'm a size 6, 5'4" woman, so it applies to me!). None of these categories of people is going to kick the butt of a 6'6" 250 pound man moutain.

Reputable school strongly emphasize that martial arts do NOT make you invincible. I often gave self defense demonstrations, and I always started by telling them to YELL as loud as they could if they were threatened. I said "Don't start throwing punches and kicks first. Yell 'You're a stranger and I'm afraid of you! I need help!'" We also emphasized the sensitive areas that were within a child's reach (instep, knee, etc.) Basic idea is to get away, not "kick their butt". In ladies' self defense, we emphasized hitting the diaphram or instep before the groin.

Hope this helps clarify some of the reasoning.

 

[parrothead365]

When my DS was 9 he had a discussion with a friend of mine who had just received his Black Belt. My son made a commitment soon after that he wanted to do this also. We are blessed to have an outstanding Dojo in our small little town that is more interested in teaching than making a buck. Almost 4 years latter my son is now a Black Belt(Shotokan style). It is more about character, responsibility, and commitment than being able to kick sombodys butt. Althought the confidence he now has in himself will serve him very well through the rest of his life.
Now there are many schools out there that I believe only stress the physical (butt kicking) aspect and are only interested in making money. I would caution people do some home work before they get involved with these.
One last thing. DS (13) had to fight several grown men to pass his Black Belt test. He did not"kick thier butts" but they sure as heck knew he was in there with them.