In my Jujitsu class, there are no kids. It is an adult class suitable for anyone aged 14 and up, with full contact sparring and an emphasis on self defence. That is the way that serious martial art clubs ought to be run. However, at my Tang Soo Do class, there are many kids. This is mainly to help boost our “family appropriate” image. I have never been a fan of this approach to teaching. I believe that martial arts training should be harsh and militaristic, and having kids in the class means that instructors have to be more lenient towards pupils. Nonetheless, I will be willing to put up with this PROVIDED that I am pushed to my limits in training and that my Sensei/Sabonim will help me to achive my goals and support me.
BUT THERE ARE CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 15 WITH BLACK BELTS. AND THIS DOESN’T JUST APPLY TO MY MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL, IT HAPPENS ALL OVER THE WORLD.
I’m afraid to say that the sad truth is that a kid under the age of 15 is simply unworthy of holding a black belt in a traditional martial art such as Taekwondo; Shotokan; etc. There are requirements and qualities of being a black belt that kids under this age simply cannot perform until they reach a certain age and strength.
One such quality is LEADERSHIP. A child black belt cannot take a class effectively for legal and safety reasons until they reach at the very least 15. They may be able to take other Junior belts (preferably of their own age or similar) through their forms; one steps; etc, but a child being a leader of a martial arts club is unheard of, thus making the black belt a bit of an unrealistic pursuit for them.
Which brings me onto my next point. Most children’s training ethics are completely wrong. Most of them don’t train to be leaders in their fields, or even to properly learn the philosophies and ethics behind the martial arts. It is all to often the case that kids are training simply to get the elusive black belt, and nothing else. Once they are awarded the black belt, they may never show up to classes again, and that’s deeply saddening. I mean Bruce Lee said himself that a belt is only a means by which a student can hold up his pants. A black belt is no more than just that. A black belt. You can buy one in Primark for £2.50. It even has a buckle! :O
Bruce also said that unless you can actually defend yourself in a fight, then that belt doesn’t symbolize anything. Being a black belt (or red belt if you practice Brazillian Jujitsu) is a state of mind; a certain training and fighting attitude; a level of prowess in combat that not many others have; a responsibility and loyalty to your art and to your students. Find me one child in the whole of England that wants to attain what I have just described. You’ll be searching the McDojos for a long time.
So, if your martial arts school features Junior black belts, be weary of what I have mentioned here. The odds are that you will be training in martial arts with the correct mindset for it, and will expect your Sensei to push you to reach your goals. I’ll bet you 5 to 1 that the average kid black belt standing at the front is only coming to class because either his parents won’t let him quit, or he feels some sort of self importance standing so close to the Sensei. I wouldn’t be put off by it. If however your martial arts school is inundated with Junior black belts AND features all the things I’ve talked about in the previous chapters of Avoiding a McDojo: either challenge your Sensei about it or leave the school. Your martial arts tutelage is being compromised by this and it isn’t fair.
Be McDojo-wise, everybody. Osu.
benk8319 