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I'm curious to see what various GM's who have different amounts of time of experience. I'm guessing newer GM's might have different opinions than more veteran ones.
The Monk (Well, the limited concept classes in general. Like the Barbarian as well, but... Let's focus on this one.)
The problem with the Monk is it's concept and execution. It sucks mechanically too. It's a low armour, medium hit die front line fighter, that's a recipe for disaster.
Worse is that unlike the other classes, it's very focused. It's got a single schtick. You punch people in the face. That's it. Most of the other classes, at least the basic four have a lot more leeway.
The Fighter can be a Knight, the professional Mercenary, the talented Farmboy, the Tribal Warrior (no, Barbarians do not fit that, not all tribal societies are made up of people with anger management issues) among many, many more.
The Wizard has a MINIMUM of 9 separate options, all of which corresponds into the various Schools. Necromancer (the perennial favourite), Oracle (Diviners), Enchantress, Conjurers... And a tenth category the 'generalist'.
Clerics has as many archetypes as there are Gods you can dream up. Witch Hunters, the Fire and Brimstone Battlepreacher, the Knight Hospitaller, all viable and more.
And Rogues? Well, what do you want to play? A parkour specialist? A cat burglar? A begger/pick pocket? A trained 'government' assassin? SOLD!
Even Paladins and Rangers and Bards have a slightly less, but still wide group of options.
But the Monk? It punches things. And it's Faux-Asian. Often in a setting that won't have any Asian influence.
It's like that kid when you were 14 years old, who wants to play a Ninja. It doesn't matter what setting your playing, or what world idea, he wants to play a NINJA! It has to be Japanese, it has to have a Katana, and it has to be a SUPER MARTIAL ARTS ASSASSIN!
That is the Monk. Even the Barbarian who is pretty singularly focused, at least the Barby has the ability to be in any setting (Yes, there are various world wide, real life, tribal societies that had their 'elite' or scary warriors that had, literally, anger management issues. In Africa, South America...) despite it's limited focus.