Absolutely .. horses for courses.
One needs to be competent in stick and rudder.
One needs to be competent in the boxes.
One needs to be competent in managing a sensible mix of the two according to the needs of the moment.
The pilot who is a brilliant stick and rudder man is a danger if circumstances require, but he is not up to, the use of the boxes.
Likewise, the pilot who is a brilliant box man is a danger if circumstances require, but he is not up to, poling the beast in anger.
Safety, in this regard, is maximised if one uses - effectively - the appropriate mix of manual and automatics which might be useful in the circumstances ..
That some may prefer to do one over the other is merely a sideline consideration, I suggest ?
As to men and boys, the distinguishing characteristic there is only the price of their toys ...