Youth in Karate

I will post strictly to karate. I often wonder whether mentoring young adults in karate is a good thing. I never allowed young adults into my training at the various military installations where I trained and practiced under the MWR (Moral, Welfare and Recreation formally Special Services for the old guard).

I always felt that a certain amount of discipline and maturity were a prerequisite for attending and studying karate-jutsu-do. I do know many who have taken on the gargantuan task of teaching children/young adults, i.e. ages 4 years to 16 years. It takes a very special type person to guide and mentor any child/young adult and I know instinctively I am not one of them.

Sometimes when I drive by the local Kung Fu studio who specialized in youngsters I wonder at the ability of the leaders and wonder if the efforts are in line with the essence of the budo system, if that is what they are providing. Are the changes that may be required to present karate to youngsters such that is gives them the inaccurate impression of what karate correctly, truly is? Do they assume what they are learning is good for defense/protection or are they aware that what they are leaning is a sport, the two are different and take different requirements to pass along the system.

I feel it is a wonderful gift they are passing along to these young people but also am concerned that what they are passing along is actually balanced in both the physical and spiritual (not religious spiritual).

SueC posted today on her efforts at local schools to pass along the gift of karate to young adults ages 4 to 9 years and although I don't personally know her I do believe her efforts are balanced and find it wonderful that she is one of those special karate-ka who can do this with youngsters for this will carry with those kids "forever," their entire lives and making a difference.

I still ask the questions for those other unknowns for the edge of that blade is as sharp as a katana and does cut both ways. Since we can reach many in such situations, i.e. young adults in local schools, it is imperative the essence and message is morally and spiritually correct in its conveyance otherwise I ask the question, "are we benefiting or creating something detrimental to the person, the group and to society?"

I guess you can see why it has always been a conundrum for me, mentoring young fledgling adults still forming their beliefs and perceptive filters. Kudo's to SueC and her wonderful efforts with the young.