Most martial arts schools have a Junior Black Belt program. That is, once a student has learned the appropriate amount of material in a children's curriculum, he/she is able to advance to a Junior Black Belt rank. From that time on, the student will have to continue to train persistently until one is physically and mentally prepared to earn a 1st Degree Black Belt, as subjectively determined by one's instructor. In my school, it typically takes another 2 years for a student to move from a Junior Black Belt rank to 1st Degree Black Belt. Such a student typically needs to be 16 years of age, be able to compete physically in sparring with an adult of any size, and have spent many years dedicated to the art of Kenpo Karate.
One of the key factors that differentiate a Junior Black Belt from a 1st Degree Black Belt is age. In my opinion, awarding a 1st Degree Black Belt or above to a child or a young adolescent gives children a false sense of security, which is often accompanied by a large ego. The child looks at his/her rank and assumes that because of the rank, they are in a position of authority over adults. The reality, however, is that virtually any adult with no martial arts experience could toss little Johnny like a beach ball if he ever decided to attack a child.
The commercialization of martial arts continues to explode. About a year ago, I showed up to judge at a local martial arts tournament. As soon as I stepped in the door, my body froze as I saw many kids running around with full black belts on. Some adolescents were as young as 13 with 3rd Degree Black Belts. Later that day, I saw a Junior Black Belt (probably around the age of 10 or 11) judging in the adult Brown Belt divisions. I truly feel that this is just so wrong. Adults should be taught and judged by adults. This is not a humility issue that I am struggling with here; this has to do with standards. Even if in a rare situation where I feel that a Junior Black Belt has acquired the appropriate amount of knowledge to judge in a tournament relative to his/her adult competitors, it still gives these Junior Black Belts the wrong message. It tells them that they are in positions of authority over adults because of the rank that is tied around their waste.
I recommend that Junior Black Belts that are interested in judging be allowed to evaluate the children's divisions. To judge the adult divisions, however, I strongly encourage one to be at least 16 years of age, and holding the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt or higher.
