Rite of Passage
The human need to belong to a tribe extends in adolescence to a growing drive to live as an adult. It is an uncomfortable time for children - and parents as well.
We say that we teach karate to kids, not 'Kiddie Karate'. While that's true, teenagers now must learn to study with the same intensity as the adults.
We promote to black belt beginning at age 13 using a half-grade rank found in judo. The test is age appropriate. But it's only at age 16 that the student becomes eligible for the full black belt rank of Shodan. The examination is the same given to adults - the martial arts equivalent to coming of age.
In a traditional dojo, testing for Shodan, in many respects, truly is a right of passage.
We say that we teach karate to kids, not 'Kiddie Karate'. While that's true, teenagers now must learn to study with the same intensity as the adults.
We promote to black belt beginning at age 13 using a half-grade rank found in judo. The test is age appropriate. But it's only at age 16 that the student becomes eligible for the full black belt rank of Shodan. The examination is the same given to adults - the martial arts equivalent to coming of age.
In a traditional dojo, testing for Shodan, in many respects, truly is a right of passage.
