It indeed is.

It's really hard topic. It's not just about music. Same goes for sport, science, languages, IT knowledge. Everything that should elevate the child. I certainly wish my parents made me learn at least SOME musical instrument. A lot of stuff I decided to do later on would be a lot easier. But on the other hand, I've chosen my path anyway. It might have helped to get some goals I couldn't achieve till today. It might have helped me to not feel like garbage every other day ... but I still chose it.

...what I'm affraid of is kids being on path they didn't choose. Artists that grow up into football players, scientists unwillingly memorizing chords they don't care about and so on. There lies the key to great parenting. To reckognize what the kid is really good at (which is sometimes even miles away from what teachers think btw) and then keep him/her on that path no matter what. I've seen both extremes of this. Kid's naturally gifted that pursued right career, but also kids who went with the totally wrong one.

Also it's kind of sad that todays society is so demanding people have to solve this way sooner then the kid is even able to.