Martial arts training has become a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States with absolutely no academic regulation or governmental licensing as of yet. The crime rate continues to grow at alarming rates in many cities around the country and people feel the need to protect themselves and their families. Martial arts schools known as dojos have been opening up at astonishing rates. Additionally, health clubs, professional recreational centers, religious groups, public and private law enforcement groups and a host of other educational programs have been establishing new martial arts programs to promote self-defense, fitness, health, and artistic expression.
The film and theater industries have been exploiting martial arts in producing more action martial arts films and shows than ever before. Films and Shows such as the Ninja Turtles, Mortal Kombat, Mighty Morphins, Power Rangers, and a host of other programs have been invading our lives. An entire generation is being raised in a Martial Arts culture where the selling of martial arts equipment and paraphernalia has added much to the multi-billion dollar industry. Each segment of this new growing industry seems to be expanding at an incredible rate. At any given time, it is estimated there are several million people practicing some form of martial arts and over 20 million people have been exposed to it already. Indeed, with these projections over the next several years, perhaps another ten million people will become exposed to the martial arts.
This translates into thousands of jobs in our economy for competent teachers. Yet, with all the fanfare and explosion of new schools (dojos) emerging around the country there is still no recognized self-regulated or governmental qualification for schools and their instructors teaching. The lack of any standards in the industry, leads the consumer to fare for themselves making them susceptible to fraud and being injured by unqualified self-proclaimed teachers. As of today, any one can declare themselves a "Certified Black Belt" from a pseudo-martial arts organization, open up their own school, and teach for a fee. It is only a matter of time before all three levels of governments step in to protect the consumer from fraud, which is pervasive.
In fact, New York City Councilman Morton Povman, stated, "Observing the lavish expenditure of constituent monies on unregulated martial arts schools and equipment, we have introduced legislation calling for licensing of such establishment". |
