Good question. For me it’s kind of both. I shot .22s and centerfire as a kid, and I don’t remember a lot of problems with my 10/22, but it wasn’t something I worried about.
When I got serious about firearms as defensive tools, which happened in my teens because of what my parents were dealing with, malfunctions became something that shouldn’t happen.
New shooters need to know how to clear malfunctions, so I guess a .22 serves that purpose as well.
I don’t like having my own practices interrupted by gun problems. And I especially don’t like having to keep track of which mags do or don’t work with which ammo. Especially for a .22 that isn’t a big part of my training.