Ethics, Belts and your martial art.

[Charbodan]

This is just something I was thinking about regarding the teaching of martial arts.

I was doing a security course at one time and as a part of the training there was an ethics core.

It was very simple and as I have been reading the various posts on the MAP forum it created a question in my mind regarding each of the different styles and the instructors who teach.

From my experience martial arts training in various styles concentrate the physical techniques with verbal instruction, demonstration. Moral and legal issues are normally raised for eg, you can do this, you can't do this etc. From a legal perspective this usually based solely on the instructors knowledge of the legal implications in your area and on the moral side of things it comes down to the personal strength of the instructors character, their back ground and who influenced them.

Historically you could say the student reflected the quality of the master, however now a black belt can be bought. Please understand that this is not disrespecting those who have studied hard to attain their level it and have received that correctly. It stems from the fact that I was once given a grading when I was around sixteen. I mean given, because at the time I was not respecting the training and did not disserve to reach the next belt. It was my money and not my character they were building. I did not return and have since followed other paths. Now I am older and a little wiser.

I also am directed to this line of thought when I see good instructors who have taught techniques to those that they have judged of sound character and the student has failed them in using the art in a dark way. I cannot help but sympathise with the instructors.

No man can be blamed for another’s actions however I feel there has to be something more...not looking for blame or responsibility but a better way to influence the character of your students.

Do you teach ethics?

Do you build good character in your students?

Most styles have awareness as a part of the training, environmental and personal.

What about conflict resolution?

The reasons I train are to improve myself both physically and mentally. To become a better person.

Would you hold in high regard, instructors who have had training in both ethics and conflict resolution?

Perhaps if they do not you might want to suggest it?

Sorry for the long rant.

For those that think I am selling something, I am not. I just think the world needs more people of good will and where better to cultivate that than in the hearts and minds of those who respect strength and honour. :)

All the best and train hard.

[Charbodan]

Just for the record,

My view of belts and colours is that you should not have them other then to identify an instructor or student.

I would prefer just one color belt, as who can claim not matter what level they are that they have nothing more to learn in life?

[Jim]

Charbodan, welcome aboard. I haven't seen any of your other posts so far.

Ethics and morality are a personal soapbox of mine, not just in MA but also in other areas. BTW I'm in Real Estate so... ;)

Conflict resolution, etc. would be a benefit to MA training but I would be a little careful on giving advice from a legal point of view. Largely people come to MA classes to learn what to do (an not to do) in a physical confrontation. I would expect that an instructor could give them that type of training.

However, you put yourself in a precarious position if you were to give out advice on anything more than, 'once you take the knife you're not allowed to stab them with it.'

I whole heartedly recommend conflict resolution courses taught by those who have had proper instruction in it (ie. councilors, etc.), just like I would expect those people to not teach MA classes without proper instruction.

[Charbodan]

Thanks for the welcome.


I would also not suggest the giving of legal advise but unfortunately with some instructors it does happen even in a limited way.

I suppose the main thrust of what I was trying to get across is that most people can learn the physical moves of a martial art.

I guess I am looking for something more from an instructor.

What is his or her way?

I have seen first hand the benefits of humanistic approach to dealing with people from working with quality people in the security industry and think it may be something instructors could consider adding ethics or CR to their qualifications.

Just so you know, there are many excellent instructors in my local area of different styles. There are also others. :)

[quartermaster]

i dont care for belts much myself, unless my trousers dont fit especially well. grading, i will start this year as it helps to give the student something to aim for, a set of criteria to know.

[Charbodan]

I agree Ginger Fist, if a student is seeking acknowledgement of their achievment or the Instructors seeking to maintain the interest of his students then by all means provide that through certification.

With so many styles and various belt systems it all becomes moot.

You also have the fact that the attainment of a certain level demonstrates in some arts a compentancy in the required core material and in others excellence.

[nzric]

I don't go for belts, but that's just my personal opinion. In our classes it's a place where anyone can ask questions and give advice - from what I've seen, a lot of black belts would hesitate before asking advice from, say, a green or orange belt, even if that person had more skill/knowledge of a particular aspect. Again, that's just my own opinion and I know it is very different for each individual.

Conflict resolution is the key to any ma practice - It's fair enough being able to win 50 unnecessary fights, but it's better to be able to get out of 30, then win the others.

I also agree about the legal implications. The truth is there's law and there's reality, and anything is possible if you have the money and/or contacts, especially when it comes to the grey area of assault and self-defence.

It's fair enough giving advice but how do you tell the big boned mexican guy from the poor family that he'd better watch himself, but then tell the silver-spoon bred white kid that it doesn't matter what he does cause his daddy will get him out of trouble if he's arrested.

[Kwajman]

I think that ethics and MA go hand in hand. They are almost inseperable.

[Andrew Green]

I think sportsmanship and sports SHOULD go hand and hand, and martial arts is a sport ;)

Of course just because they should doesn't always mean they do.

[Jim]

It's fair enough giving advice but how do you tell the big boned mexican guy from the poor family that he'd better watch himself, but then tell the silver-spoon bred white kid that it doesn't matter what he does cause his daddy will get him out of trouble if he's arrested.
I think they probably already know.

I've mentioned before that many of the others I've taught were older than me. I had cause at certain times to ask them advice on things that I knew they had more experience in than me. The first time I asked I felt a bit odd, but they were so good about it that it never caused an issue in me asking anything again. I think it actually strengthened the bonds between us.

They were coming to me to learn MA and were mature enough to realise I wasn't an all knowing all seeing God. Instructors who don't open themselves up and show that they're not infalliable are letting themselves and their students down.