I don't know if anyone was writing about it but starting skill level has two opposite troubles. At first, how could anyone know 18 skills enough to become a master even without teacher (i tried). At second, looks like it means that character simply know none of it, but making so would cause troubles at the beginning.
I think it would be better if we start with some skills at higher level (like in Fallout) and others at 5-10. And perhaps skills should grow only at relatively high (25) level or with teacher's help (at 5-10).
And besides, racial skills are rather cultural difference (i mean what Khajiit or Nord learns from parents, friends etc). In such case, perhaps character should start with some of racial skills at 20-25 and some other skills at 25-30 (both chosen by player).

Every race and six has different starting traits.

http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Race

and yet six has nothing to do with it other than RP.

That's a bit obsolete for Skyrim. There's no difference between males and females in term of attributes in Skyrim but there are differences in skills. http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Races_%28Skyrim%29 explains it all.

@OP:

It used to be the way you're suggesting in previous ES games. At the start, you would get to pick "major" and "minor" skill that would get a certain bonus.

This of course makes a load of sense because, after all, your character is an advlt and has probably had some life experience prior to starting the game. I don't know why they decided to remove this from Skyrim - it really takes away a vital element of character creation.

Still it is not such a difference. Number isn't really significant. We START at level ENOUGH to become MASTER without help in ALL SKILLS