I agree the prospect of saling full time with my parents does not appeal and has not appealed to me my whole sailing career. (started age 8 now 17) I learnt to sail in slow single man boat, went to a dinghy with crew my own age which was very fun and now I'm racing against him or with the option of sailing with him if I want.
I think junior sailors need the options because not everyone can find someone with similar interests and commitment to sailing.