To be flat out Honest about draw weight I have to say the original laws about 40 lb draw was intened to apply to recurves and longbows. I feel the same standard should not apply toward compound bows. A well made kid bow will shoot the same as a 40lb recurve at 20 lbs. I think the reason for this is not about killing power of the bow but rather a standard to apply to the shooters physical strength.
I wouldn't think a Ranger would put a scale on your kids bow if he ran into you. (Then again I guess some might) My point is I don't think a 30lb or 35 lb drawon a compound would hurt any thing.

Probably right. For me though, it is just as much about making sure HE is ready for the task he is about to embark upon. It's no problem, he can hunt with a rifle untill he shows his competency with a bow. What is life without a few goals anyways?

I lioke the Parkers, good bow, good quality, Shoots good, And you can buy one bow, change the cam modules as the kids grow. And, when they outgrow it, generally they are old enough to buy thier own. I bought mine at a 60 pound level, means you can drop to 50 or a little less to start. They can still hunt with a 60 pound bow when they are older. But, if your kids are too young to shoot this bow, well you have to find something different.