Why is mentoring such a scary word?

I recently put together a mentoring program for my chapter and volunteered to help with one for Novelsisterhood.com. A number of things made me wonder why the response wasn't more favorable. I think I understand.
The concept of mentoring can paint a frightening picture in a new writer’s mind. The Buddha-like figure perched high overhead, showering concepts onto the ignorant newbie springs to mind. So there is a distance involved and even a little fear. The basic taking of information without a return to the giver makes the experienced writer hesitate to be a mentor. It can make an inexperienced writer hesitate to ask a ‘dumb’ question. Never mind that everyone says no question is dumb, it feels that way.How does mentoring work? Two people exchange information. That’s right. Both benefit in a number of ways. Ask about finding an agent or editor and answers jump from every corner. A place to find a list of reputable people, names of editors taking submissions, agents looking for a new authors are some of the things I’ve learned. This benefits the more experienced writer as well as the beginner. Even beginners have information to share.So let’s change the concept to a friendlier picture. The older sister showing the younger how to put up her hair in a new fashion is a better one: a partnership rather than lecturing by the professor. Everyone benefits.