I have a question for Andy_P:
Sure, a 172 is pretty tame, but if you want to go learn tail draggers or aerobatics, then you can. It makes no sense to start off learning the most complex stuff. Learn to fly first, then progress. Much safer that way.
Reading your critique of how I learned to fly I have a question that you may be able to answer.
When I learned to fly the Cessna 172 had not yet been designed or built, all we had for training airplanes were tail wheel airplanes.......see the problem I had?
However it would appear that my training was not all tht substandard throughout my career because I have flown over thirty thousand hours.. .all accident free.