This ceremony or ritual is often described as being "analogous to a christening or baptism for an infant." That definition opens the door to a theological debate. A christening or infant baptism--among those Christian denominations who practice it--ensures eternal salvation to the child, because those infants so baptised were reborn in Christ and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Technically, the child is dubbed as a member of a that Christian denomination. Later, of course, the child has to go through another ceremony indicating that they do want to be a member of that Christian denomination and church.
Here's the theological question: If a Wiccaning is "analogous to a christening or baptism for an infant," and if a pair of Wiccan parents have a 3rd degree perform a Wiccaning on their infant with the coven members, can that child be considered Wiccan at least until s/he becomes old enough to become initiated? Maybe a new term is would be appropriate? Like "Raised Wiccan" or "Proto-Wiccan"? (Ye, Gods, "Proto-Wiccan" sounds ridiculously hideous.) I can foresee adult children of Wiccan parents saying, "My parents raised me Wiccan, but I didn't initiate in 1st degree until 22, after college."
FAQ: Is Wicca practiced by Wiccan families? Is Wicca passed down through generations?
The religion of Wicca has been around since the mid 20th century. That is long enough for adults to marry have children and raise them within a Wiccan outlook. There could be a certain passing down of Wiccan teachings in a family. I have met a family which had 2 generations of Wiccans--and if we've heard correctly through the community grapevine eventually 3 generations. Lady Morgana Davies (d. 2008), author of Keepers of the Flame, was an Alexandrian HPS (High Priestess) in the 1970's. Her daughter, Lady Ayeisha (d. 1998), was initiated and became HPS of KAM (Keepers of the Ancient Mysteries) in Maryland. Thus, Lady Morgana was a first generation initiated Wiccan and her daughter, Lady Ayeisha, was a second generation initiated Wiccan.
Lady Ayeisha had a son whom we met when he was fairly young. We have heard that he is also Wiccan. Admittedly, we've had no contact with him directly.
There are Wiccans who argue that Wicca is a mystery religion which can only be taught by a coven. Thus a child of Wiccan parents could not be raised Wiccan. Somehow parents could not adquately teach their own children about the Wheel of the Year, symbolism of candles, folktales and myths, etc.
I say that is the purest bit of bunk I've heard. Of course, the children of Wiccan families can taught about this religion by their parents. When a child is an adult, that child will decide whether to initiate and continue in the religion.
Gerald Gardner: "This is indeed the traditional way in which witchcraft was spread and preserved, the children of witch families were taught by their parents."