Wow, the ambition of the posters in this thread in mind boggling! Plumbers, electricians, crane operators, waiters, sheet metal workers, HVAC, computer technician, and on and on. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with any of those professions, by any means. I know for a fact, that my plumber (he's French BTW, my wife loves it how he says "twalette" for toilet), makes a great deal more money than I do. But I don't think this is, or should be, about money. If the kid is passionate about being a guitar player, let him, for God's sake, be a guitar player. If he is really passionate, you won't be able to stop him anyway.
I think, that as a parent it is wrong to push a child in a direction he (or she) does not want to go, or has no interest in. Of course, as a parent you want only the best for your child, and "job security" is something you wish for him. Especially given all the insecurity relating to so many jobs in the US these days. As a parent, you also have to realize that a child has to find his or her own way. And "security" only comes from within, not necessarily from a job.
If the kid is passionate about music, no matter how good or how bad you perceive him to be, let him try. So what if he finds out that he can't cut it? My oldest son is pretty good at playing the violin. In May of 2002, at age 10 he played with the string orchestra of his teacher at Carnegie Hall in NYC. However, he is not a passionate violin player. He says he wants to be a goldsmith. Which is better? Which provides better job security? You tell me. All I can do, is gently guide and steer him, never force him. Force does not work.
As far as finding your own way, that happened to me too. I had to find my own passion. I tried to become a dentist before I dropped out of school and became a goldsmith. I went to dental school for other reasons than passion about fixing teeth. I am much happier being a goldsmith, although my parents did not approve of my choice when I made that choice. My life would have turned out much different, had my parents supported my choices rather than forced me in a direction they thought was "better" for me. For one thing, my relationship with them would have been a lot better.
I lecture about my work from time to time. When students ask me what "it takes", I almost always tell them, that they have to be passionate about what they do. That is the only thing that has gotten me through hard times. I think Billy Joel said: "If you don't love what you are doing, you are just wasting your time."
Sorry if I rambled a bit Grant, I am sure you only wish the best for your son, and you are concerned. Right now I may have it a bit easier, because my boys are only 12 and 8. They are not teenagers yet. Everybody tells me I better hold on to my pants the next 10 years or so.
Being a parent sure is an interesting ride.
Abrasha