I think it all depends. How much of a fence sitter am I??? hehe

Are there any? I think when u first get it, there is a massive feeling u get, at least when in class with everyone looking at you, from the junior belts to the parents of the children to the other black belts. A black belt is what a style proposes that a student can become. Therefore, everyone looks at the black belt and says, is that something I want to become? A black belt feels that. I think there is a sense of responsibility to others from within that system.

But outside of the particular style or school? As a personal thing, it is an achievement one should be happy with. In todays day and age, not many people stick to one thing for years and years and reach a goal. But really, it is no big deal. A black belt is not a super human. Many people can reach black belt with one hour study for five days a week for around four or five years. Some do it the hard way and get injured, have a long time off and still return to training which requires more self discipline (like BBM).

Should someone feel a foreboding sense of responsibility for reaching black belt? Probably not. I think as a person, black belt qualities are only a good thing. Like tgace was indicating. There are other pursuits out there that demand MUCH more commitment and demand a very high level of responsibility due to the skill sets they acquire.

I dont think a black belt has responsibilities so much, but become a much better person by putting themselves through the training and study. With being a better person, one automatically carries themselves in a much more responsible way.

I actually really like the idea of bai shi in your art. It seems to hold a lot more meaning than just wrapping a belt around your waist and it's certainly less pretentious. I'd bin the belt in favour of that if I had the choice, but unfortunatedly I don't due to the system I train in. Thanks for that.

Good post, well done.
I can only speak for myself here but I view things a little different. That's probably because I mainly did/do Chinese and S.E.-Asian arts where belts don't really exist. So the notion of a black belt means very little to me.

I do hold rank in a Chinese system, sort of an “equivalent” to the black belt but it never meant much to me. Like somebody else here said, belts are a relatively new “invention” in the martial arts. So linking them to tradition is perhaps a bit iffy.

That said, in the arts I do, bai shi (“ritual initiation”) is often present. It sounds weird but basically it's a ceremony you do after a while, when your teacher thinks you're ready. It allows you to become an official student of a teacher and has both perks and responsibilities.

The perks are that you get to learn the so called secret or advanced stuff. It's not really secret but that's how people usually see it.
The responsibilities differ from one system to another but they're usually similar: You won't rip off other people, you won't rip off your teacher, you won't abuse what you know, etc.

The thing is this: you take an oath. You enter a pact with your teacher and both swear to uphold your end. And if you don't, the teacher tells you to get lost and never return. So it's in your best interest to stick to your word.

I prefer this system over any other. It's very clear what is expected of both teacher and student.

Just my 2 cents,

Wim

I will add to continue with the mindset of a student. Attaining a Black Belt can be like becoming an adult. You have enough skills to survive; but, you still have a lot to learn.