This. Plus this from here:http: (//www.cqbkajukenbo.com/faq/) "Q: “WHEN WILL MY KID GET A BLACK BELT?” In short:  S/he will probably not get the opportunity to test for a black belt until s/he is 18 except under very exceptional circumstances, in which case s/he may be allowed to do so at age 16 or 17. How many people truly believe that a 14 year old who’s parents paid for  err… who was given a “black belt” -what we call a “brat belt”- could possibly possess all the necessary tools to defend himself in most any given situation.  Ask yourself how likely it is that a mere child would have the proper maturity, coordination and physical strength to actually fight off a would-be abductor or even the bully down the street who outweighs them by 40 pounds?  “Sparring” in tournaments or elsewhere is not the same as fighting.   Since a child is not legally accountable for his or her actions they are not awarded the stature of the Black belt.  Their knowledge of right and wrong is often clouded by childish notions of what they want.  Of course that applies to many adults as well, but our justice system has decided that at 18 you are old enough to know better.   A Black belt should understand the implications (legal, ethical and moral) of her actions and act accordingly.   A Black belt implies someone with expertise in the basics who can teach -and effectively use- those concepts and techniques.  No 12 year old child is likely to have the wisdom or life experience to pass on the teachings to another child, not to mention another adult.  An adult will not take a 14 year old “black belt” seriously as a martial arts teacher because he knows s/he is a kid.  Not to mention that skills being effective against other kids does not mean they will be effective against someone twice their age and size, as mentioned before.   The fact is that a lot of schools have completely forgotten what the martial arts are for: to train the body and mind for confrontations and violence.  The word ‘martial’ means ‘of or appropriate to war; warlike’.  ‘Martial arts’ are not for little Johnny to get better grades in school, or to overcome his ‘A.D.D’. Such things might arguably be a beneficial side-effect, but that has little to do with training someone to fight for their lives.  An instructor that tries to tell you otherwise is selling something. Self-discipline starts with the word ‘self’, not ‘Sifu’ or ‘Sensei’ – and definitely not ‘Master’ . You are not paying me to be a babysitter so I will not act like one.  Many schools have turned into belt machines, guaranteeing  6b85   rank as long as you sign the contract.  No matter what age or physical ability, a person will eventually be wearing a black belt if they pay their fees to a “McDojo” school.