And look at how the hard core, tough, mean "Cross Fit" are now realizing they might need a few kids programs to pay the electric bill.
But, not all of "them" (martial schools) without kids are ALL out of business. I just left a Japanese MA school with about 30 adults. No kids. Think of all the MMA schools and Krav schools that have zero kids. Think about it. It depends on where you are, and what you are doing, good luck and bad luck. Fads.
Why does one convienence store on one street corner stay open and right across the street another closes? Could it be the bad shade of green paint on the front? Traffic flow at rush hours? So many variables that may have absolutely nothing to do with a good, training program.
I always think of my old friend in San Francisco who tried and tried to run a school there, and failed. Then moved to Wyoming and opened two schools in one year. Adults. Same business plan. Different place.
The survivors? Some have kids to pay the bills. But, many of the survivors have instituted a plausable, somewhat understandable, acceptable "kids name" for a Black Belt. So that both they and their parents and outsiders understand there is a difference between adults and little kids. I think quite a number of schools use the term "Junior Black Belt." I get that idea. Or call them...
"Baby Black"
"Teeny Black"
"Tweeny black"
"Child Black"
"Toddler Black"
"Kiddie Black"
"Junior Black"
As for me, I cannot teach kids. I am a sorry example of a human being. Detached. I drink. I cuss. and I cheat. My definition of God comes from a Star Trek episode. I can't build and raise good little citizens. I am too inept and wouldn't even know where to start. So I am prejudiced on the subject.
I also come from a school of thought that Karate is not a sport, it was something far more violent and serious, and therefore the whole kid/sport connection thing to me? Personally, I find mysterious and annoying. Wrestling? Boxing? Fine. But watering down ass-kicking karate to safe, "no face-punch" and such rules, destroys the whole point. All you "young-ens' have grown up brainwashed in mixed age environment.
I understand that everybody just needs to survive in their business. Don't just call them a generic "Black Belt." A 5 year-old cannot and should not be a black belt. To me its a joke. To others a real insult. Its like...like saying a
5 year-old passed Marine Boot Camp/Basic training.
Its like...an utterly impossible achievement for a 5 year-old. Or a ten-year old. But, they might instead pass a..."Junior Boot Camp!" program! An age-appropriate, watered down for kids. Thats fine. Thats the point.
So anyway, that begs the next question. The next question is...what is a good general age for someone to qualify for the title? 14? 16? 18? Probably all of us have met a crazy 13 year old that is big for their age and just awesome.
Hock
Author
Topic: 5 Year-Old Gets Black belt (Read 1483 times)