No ranking system for kids?

Question

What are your opinions on a martial arts school getting rid of a belt ranking system for kids? The youth class would hold the same purpose (ie teaching self-respect, confidence, self-defense, discipline, etc) and continue to teach the curriculum along with prepare the students for the adult class with a ranking system. It would save the parents money on the many belt tests most children have along with get rid of the controversial issue of whether or not children should have black belts. There are major pros and cons, I'm just wondering your opinions. If anyone has any experience with this I would like to hear it, too. Thanks!

Answer 1

I think it goes the same way of not keeping score in little league games and not giving out grades in school.  Kids need something to keep them motivated and esoteric rewards just don't do it.

However, I'm with you on the no black belts for kids idea.  

Answer 2

I think they shouldn't even have a ranking system for kids in the first place. I mean they are kid for god sake...It's not like people care whether they have a black belt or not. As for a adult that a difference story, but if it's about money then i don't think they will changes the system, considering money is money lol.

Answer 3

Hi

Answer 4

I think it could be good for the kids psychologically.  Where is the line drawn between "achieving" benchmarks and being "limited" or "hindered" by them?  If the curriculum is the same they can focus on what they should be learning rather than focusing on getting that red and blue paisley belt.

By the same token, competition makes one fierce and envy of other students or the different belts they hold could motivate some students to work harder than they would have before.

I believe both of these scenarios are true to a certain extent and different people have different motivating factors.  This is a strange question and unfortunately I don't think it has a clear cut answer.

Answer 5

I agree with some of the other people that have answered and think it would not be as good.  I have seen younger students really push, motivate, and challenge themselves for a different color belt.  For those that don't need such a tool to push themselves what you are proposing would work fine.  The problem is that so many of the other types of students need that belt promotion till they reach the age and maturity whereby they can push themselves without relying on it.

As for the controversy of children having black-belts not all schools have that problem.  Legitimate schools and their standards along with that of the instructors have no issues in regards to this and often times my younger black-belts when they were younger more than impressed any of the old, hard-line traditionalists that they would encounter.  So-much-so that they would often comment on how I must work with my younger students more than they did with theirs and also would want to know how long they were studying with me.  That controversy will always be there because of the standards or lack of that some schools utilize when promoting anyone-not just children.  The belt rank system is really independent of it I think.  

Answer 6

I think getting rid of the belts is a bad idea.

The belt system provides the kids:

Motivation to train/practice

Sense of achievment

Self-respect

Accomplishment

It also teaches that there is a reward for hard work and dedication.  Something that all kids should learn.

Additionally, there needs to be a formalized way to seperate the ability level of kids for tournament purposes and what not.

Answer 7

I think you're missing the point... Kid's need something to work toward, and something physical means more than a title (Getting a new belt vs. being told they're X-kyu). You want to save the parents money? A belt costs $7 at the over-priced martial arts store here in Vegas... How about not charging exorbitant fees for testing!

Look, as adults you know what's most important. As a kid, getting something as a reward is what really matters. Heck, we do this as adults... Napoleon himself commented on what men will do for a piece of ribbon...

The belt? The belt holds your pants up. It's not what's important. Rank doesn't mean anything more than giving you an idea of what is expected of you from that point on. How about focusing on teaching kids exactly that: that they're earning new responsibility.