I wasn't allowed a firearm of any kind as a child. Uncle Sam taught me how to shoot...not that I hadn't already figured it out with games and all...The US did teach me how to shoot better, though.

An M-16 or AR-15...is the way to go for learning, imo. Easy to maintain a sight picture....nose against the charging handle...and regarding recoil?....when you can place the butt of an automatic weapon against your privates and launch a few down range while still remaining virile....or go ahead and put it on the end of your nose and squeeze off a few. Any "fear of recoil" is gone...nada...zilch.