Everyone is different, we had a girl come out to the range with us today who had never shot a pistol before, she started with my .22 mkiii 22/45 but quickly moved up to a 9mm then a 40 S&W but was most excited to shoot my LCR... she started with .38 but asked to try the .357. I was surprised how well she was shooting with it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU9b_xhVpn4
Shooting .38 in this gun is manageable even for a small frame new shooter, very noticeable difference from the .38 version of the same pistol.