MichiganTKD
Master Black Belt
I would never, under any circumstances, allow a 16 year old to test 4th Dan. Much like I would never promote an 8 year old to 1st Dan. Doing so insults every student above a certain age who has attained that Dan.
In my opinion, you should not promote anyone under the age of 25 to 4th Dan. Reason: By age 25, you should be out of school, independent, with a good job, and responsible for your own life. How can you have a Master Instructor (which is what Tae Kwon Do 4th Dan is) at 16? A 16 year old is still in school, cannot drive, cannot drink, cannot vote, lives at home. In short, is in no way independent. And you want to promote them to the rank of Instructor with the power to judge other students, including adults? Impossible.
In my opinion, you should not promote anyone under the age of 25 to 4th Dan. Reason: By age 25, you should be out of school, independent, with a good job, and responsible for your own life. How can you have a Master Instructor (which is what Tae Kwon Do 4th Dan is) at 16? A 16 year old is still in school, cannot drive, cannot drink, cannot vote, lives at home. In short, is in no way independent. And you want to promote them to the rank of Instructor with the power to judge other students, including adults? Impossible.