Ranks
- Thread starter Drac
- Start date
One is tempted to say a joke... but, honestly, it really depends on what the school means by "black belt." If it means that they've learned a particular curriculum and can successfully perform it to a particular standard -- why not? If the rank is also supposed to include some sort of maturity or capability... then it still depends.
As long as the school is upfront about it, and about what it means... then it's fair. Just don't also expect that a 10 year old 2nd degree is going to be taken seriously by adults, either...
Thonged warrior
Yellow Belt
A very bad one
SirKicksAlot
Yellow Belt
Well, I agree kids shouldn't be advanced in rank beyond black belt, but, should that be the case? Why should a kid not be a 2nd Dan? Size? Maturity? Wisdom? What about a 4'8"woman that weighs 80 pounds? What about a 22 year old? How much wisdom do they have? What about a 70 year old arthritic granny? I think people fall into the trap of equating belt with real world fighting ability. If there is a certain curriculum for a belt and one can perform it accurately, why hold them back? If we are judging solely on fighting prowess, then why have belts at all? That would just devolve into 1 prize fighting belt that only the best at that time can wear.
skribs
Grandmaster
I've trained BJJ for a few years. You know what the requirement is for a kid to get their stripes and belts in BJJ? Time. It's 99% time. In fact, it's encouraged by the IBJJF that you just promote them to keep them interested. Kids have less of a curriculum to learn, and are given less details when they learn it. And when a kid turns 16, they're basically treated like a white belt no matter how good they were. Their next promotion is blue.
In TKD, the requirements for kids to earn rank is the same as it is for adults. Some schools have low standards for both. Some schools have high standards for both. But both schools will have the same standards for kids and adults. If a school gives a 2nd dan to someone who is 14, that 14-year-old probably has roughly the same level of skill and leadership ability as someone who is 19, or 24, or even older. Because the specific skills and leadership qualities that you would expect of a 2nd dan have been cultivated the same no matter the age.
In TKD, the requirements for kids to earn rank is the same as it is for adults. Some schools have low standards for both. Some schools have high standards for both. But both schools will have the same standards for kids and adults. If a school gives a 2nd dan to someone who is 14, that 14-year-old probably has roughly the same level of skill and leadership ability as someone who is 19, or 24, or even older. Because the specific skills and leadership qualities that you would expect of a 2nd dan have been cultivated the same no matter the age.
Are you asking as in, which styles do this, or what are the philosophies of schools that do this? Or is it a rhetorical question complaining about those schools?
HighKick
Master Black Belt
Po-Dan black belts (often called junior black belts) are quite common in TKD of all style varieties.
Most. Not all.
