Good lord... why so many little kids in TKD?

[tkd_person89]

Good lord... why so many little kids in TKD? A lot of websites of dojangs I go to a LOT of the photos have little, itty bitty elementary school kids in them.

Why the HELL are there so many little kids in TKD? Is TKD becoming a children's sport?

Thoughts?

[Tom Yum]

TKD became popular in the 80's.

Instructors could teach discipline and physical fitness to children who couldn't get it in our society. Supply meets demand.

[eXcessiveForce]

It's also were the money is.

[tkd_person89]

it seems as if more lil kids do tkd than non-kids

[bigboywasim]

I think it is good for TKD. I think I should have started to train when I was little. The kids will represent the art in the future. The earlier you learn the better you will be in the future.

[tkd_person89]

But it seems like there are more kids than non-kids and that all of the "non-kids" are turning to more-full contact arts like kickboxing....

What do you think?

[Piston]

I think one can only start so young, many kids hit black belt without a proper understanding of the basics because they were simply too young to absorb what they were being taught. For example a lotta kids won't put their hips into their punches because they just placed their hands in the appropriate section of air for things like pattern chon-ji.

I would say the appropriate starting age is about 13/14 years old. I also think what my teacher does is quite wise: She separates the kids into whats called "Little Ninjas" where they learn the bare bones basics of TKD and focus on things like good moral behaviour, confidence and fitness building.

Good idea, no?

[eXcessiveForce]

I have learned children live up or down to your expectations as do adults.

It also depends on their purpose for training.

the kids I train, I prefer not working with those under 6 but expections have occurred, are required to do everything an adult is. Do they have the same power as an adult? no. Do they have the same understanding as an adult? no. But that does not mean they are any less proficient at technique as an adult.

I have had adults that simply lacked comprehension of what they were doing. The same is true of children. I started TKD very young. and have trained my entire life. People often ask me, how did I get so fast, or how can I do what I do. It comes down to repetition and continuing to learn. A 1 year black belt is a 1 year black belt. A 10 year black belt has no relation to a 1 year black belt. Time and practice lead to understanding.

So no I do not believe in training children different material than adults (except for teach techniques required for different age leveles.)

[blitz]

Hmm, TKD is a great base martial art for children to learn IMO. If I ever have a child and he wants to train, I'll start him on TKD for sure. Its easier for them to become flexible at early ages and children are known to learn very fast. And about why they don't join kickboxing/boxing, I think its because those arts are too agressive. My cousin wanted to put her children in a martial art, I told her about kickboxing/boxing/jiu jitsu but she said she thought they were too agressive. She wanted them to join TKD or Karate.

Oh and TKD is very popular compared to other arts, there is olympic TKD and lots of tournaments happen, I mean at least each week in Jordan there is a TKD tournament, Muay thai and mma and other various arts aren't as popular here.

[tkd_person89]

I highly disagree. Taekwondo sparring is also aggressive, pending on the skill of your opponents. Even with the gear, a well-placed blow WILL hurt.

Yes, I do agree that TKD needs to get rid of the hogu (body armor).

I never said it's bad for kids to do TKD. I am just bothered because whenever I go to TKD websites, I see children - lots and lots of them and little adults/teens.

[Sagacious Lu]

But it seems like there are more kids than non-kids and that all of the "non-kids" are turning to more-full contact arts like kickboxing....

What do you think?

I think that a lot of TKD schools are set up to be attractive to parents and children because there is a big demand for children's MA classes. If a school's focus caters specifically to children (who's parents are worried about safety) the intensity level is going to be a lot lower. That means that as the children get older they are likely to out grow the school and look for something tougher. To me that isn't a reflection on TKD as a MA, it's just a function of students training at the school that meets their needs. That sort of school probably gives children a strong base to build a life long MA practice on. Besides, anything that gets the little boogers to turn off the TV and the PS2 has got to be a good thing

[BoarSpear]

Good lord... why so many little kids in TKD? A lot of websites of dojangs I go to a LOT of the photos have little, itty bitty elementary school kids in them.

Why the HELL are there so many little kids in TKD? Is TKD becoming a children's sport?

Thoughts?

because if you dont teach kids you dont get a big school...you have to teach kids when you dont have anything that will bring in adults...its a business decision. A good rule of thumb...the higher percentage of kids taught, the lower percentage of useful martial arts taught.

[medic06]

Look on the bright side. TKD is still the most effective martial art. It's not going to die out anytime soon. . . .

[tkd_person89]

Ok then another thing:

I know for a fact because I've trained and also based on what others have told me, that Korea generally has dojangs that work you harder. On a percentage scale, the U.S. has more mcdojos.

Every korean dojang website i went to however, had no adult pics but dozens and dozens of kid pics. why?

[medic06]

blame it on the Power Rangers