Many critics of traditional kung fu styles actually do not have a problems with the effectiveness of the chinese martial arts. Rather, they feel that they are too complex for many people to understand how to use them for self-defense. For example, say a well-renowned sifu teaches students a,b,c, d, e, f, and g, all of whom go on to open up their own schools. Out of all of those students, only a, b, and c are good fighters. Out of those three, only a is a good teacher. Now, I think it probably is a stretch to think that all sifus have many poor students. However, I do think it probably is fairly common. This is not only unique to kung fu. Aikido practitioners have told me that there are many aikido practitioners who cannot use it very well for self-defense. This is possibly due to the fact that aikido, like kung fu, is a very complicated art. I think perhaps this is just a matter of some people just not being capable to get an understanding of how kung fu is applicable for self-defense. This is just like how some people really struggle to get through a math class. Or how people take the medical exam or bar exam how many times and they still cannot pass it no matter how hard they study for it. If you are interested in self-defense, perhaps you would be better off going into martial sports first, whose applications to self-defense are more clear. Perhaps doing so and then learning a kung fu style would help you better understand how kung fu is useful for self-defense. What do any of you think about this? Also, if you are studying a chinese martial art, is there any way to improve your chances of being one of the fortunate ones who understands it as a means of self-defense? Thanks in advance.