Ages ago my DH figured out my sewing machine is much more complicated than all of his power tools combined. BTW I can operate his saws with ease - when he does siding or something I do the saw - saves him time. So he insisted that our boys learn to use a sewing machine before they were allowed to use any other power tool. As far as a HC being better for children - I'm not sure how true that is in all aspects - if they take their eye off the needle and look at the HC they could get a vaccination - happened to me... I put finger guards on the HC machines or any other machine my GDs use just for a safety precaution.