As someone who mentors a little over a half dozen adults who are transitioning into technology careers (mostly programming, but not exclusively), I disagree on

As someone who mentors a little over a half dozen adults who are transitioning into technology careers (mostly programming, but not exclusively), I disagree on several points: 1. A lack of programming experience does not necessarily imply a life of struggle. Anecdote: Several of my friends work blue collar jobs (AC install/repair, but also an electrician), and avoid many of life's vices (alcohol, drugs, bad relationships with people with different personal values because they're easy to get into bed with, gambling, extreme religious devotion, the vindication of social media mob participation, etc.). I would call them successful despite not knowing the difference between a function and a method. (Successful enough, at least, to be homeowners in their young 20's despite growing up in poor families.) 2. Programming skill does not necessarily a life free of struggle. I know several homeless people with programming skills. Mental health (which is something our industry severely neglects!) brings its own struggles to the table. 3. Adults who take an interest in programming can gain sufficient aptitude to be valuable to organizations in a short time. Forcing programming down a child's throat does them no favors.