As an adult, and a parent of "older" kids (20, 23) . . . I think its a valuable question
Certainly it depends on the children, individually. As well as thier living situation and relationships with parents, siblings, friends (ie, thier general social stability) should certainly be considered.
But nearly as important (and perhaps more so) is whether the child is being guilded and instructed by a stable adult (and all the things that go into "stability") that has a background that warrents them as "teachers" ; or if they are simply "blindly" exploring occultism on their own . . . but with parental "consent".
(I assume that being taught "magick" that is destructive or by a parent that is unstable . . isn't even needing to be considered)
Assuming only the best case (stable parent with a long term, grounded, occult background attentitvely guilding an otherwise stable child) . . . I'd think that quite a bit of basic theory and supportive spirituality could be introduced throughout thier young life. Perhaps some developmental practices (divinition, patitioning, ancestrial-practices, mind/body control and strengthening) could be useful and productive just prior to puberty and leading inthrough adolescense. All of that assuming they WANT to participate and progress in the "practice"
After adolescence (proper), I'd leave them to explore and develop . . . of course, always positioning yourself very conspicuosly as an available guide/resource for them as they need (and also watching thier progress and behavior for "signs" of trouble or personal abuses).
though . . . just my opinion . . . I Know Nothing (IMG:
style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
This post has been edited by palindroem: Nov 13 2006, 01:50 PM