I have two sons, ages 10 and almost 9. My boys and I have been coming to the USTC for 3 1/2 years. They started as white belts and recently earned their 1st Degree Black Belts in TKD. This is a GREAT martial arts school for the kids. At this school they help kids to develop good taekwondo skills AND good character.
As a parent, I want my boys to grow to become honorable men, with good character, gentlemanly, faithful and considerate. In other words, I want them to be men who are not only successful in their careers but also as husbands and fathers.
The first tool that was given to me as a parent, was the USTC's character stripe program. This is a report card for the parents to tell Grandmaster Jung and Master Sean Jung how the kids have been doing at home. It covers, completing homework, helping out around the house, being attentive, cooperative and respectful at school and at home. In other words - building good character. My sons got into the habit of helping out at home with household chores, such as emptying the trash, vacuuming the house, unloading the dishwasher and clothes dryer. The boys earned character stripes and at each belt testing, character stripe champions are awarded medals and trophies - a VERY big incentive to my sons to continue to behave well and to do the right thing. USTC trained the boys to show respect and to be courteous. By teaching the kids to bow when entering the dojang, bowing to the instructors and masters, the boys learned respect. The home rules such as greeting your parents when you come home and when you leave the house, showing courtesy and respect to your elders became part of my sons' personality. Now, I am told by teachers and many others who interact with my boys that they are SO polite and gallant.
The second thing the boys learned was self-control. My older son was bullied VERY VERY badly in school, with up to 7 other boys ganging up on him with a co-ordinated routine of bullying. The bullies were SO good at their harrassment the teachers, Dean of Students and the Principal were unable to figure out what was happening for a couple of years. My son learned to steel himself against the non-stop harrassment, to control himself from retaliating and finally, he opened up and told us what was happening to him. One day on the playground, two bullies started attacking him, wanting to make him fight. Both of them punching and shoving him. My son was able to use the skills that he learned in class to sweep them to the ground and subdue them without hurting them. Then, when they were sent to the Principal's office, he had the courage to speak up and tell the truth.
My younger son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and had a very difficult time with speaking. He had high anxiety about trying new things, that often left him in tears. With each new belt he gained, not only did the crying decrease, but his determination succeed increased. Tears might be streaming down his face, but he'll keep working at whatever he needs to, be it long division or learning a new complicated kicking technique. He perseveres till he succeeds.
Success and happiness in life does not lie only in earning a lot of money. I believe that helping my children develop good character, consideration for others and respect for those around them will help them become successful husbands and fathers, and that is something I think our society could use more of. read more