jks9199 said:Youth classes should always be open to parental monitoring/watching. That doesn't mean the parents need to be there all the time, and if the parent is causing a disruption, they may have to leave... but the idea of closed youth class is just plain wrong.
I agree wholeheartedly. I'm an adult that does not have children...but I would not train at a school that had a closed youth class. The folks that run the school could be saints and angels, but if they can't understand what the appearance of impropriety is, then I don't want to be associated with them.
jks9199 said:But, I have a bigger problem with what some of the profit-oriented martial arts schools are doing. If I describe a business that's picking kids up from school, monitoring them for several hours until their parents pick them up, and runs all-day programs when school is not in session... Am I describing a day care, or a "afterschool martial arts program?" My opinion is that BOTH are day care, and should be regulated and monitored as such. But the "afterschool martial arts programs" aren't monitored or regulated. Their employees have even more access to kids than a typical day care teacher, but don't have to be trained in anything or pass any background screening.
Gee... Sound like a disaster in the making to anyone else?
Actually, I have more of an issue with the parents that chose to subject their children to such an environment without checking to see if there are background checks done and whether they are operating within state regs. It is THE PARENTS that are responsible for children, and it is a real shame that their are parents that nod like a bobble-head doll "yes, yes, karate daycare good I want karate daycare where do I sign?" instead of fully investigating WHERE their child spends their time.
I also don't have an issue with profit-oriented organizations. There are many MA inststructors out there that are so sullied due to improper interpersonal skills, teaching abilities, or business chops that the CANNOT make a profit from their MA instruction. IMO, an instructor that cannot make it in the public eye is worthy of even more scrutiny than an instructor with a school, reputation, and stake in the community. Just my thoughts though. :asian: