HELL, if a mage feel like he should carry a shield so be it.
Hmm, I don't think this is a logical argument. A mage shouldn't be allowed to carry a shield for the same reason they aren't allowed to wear plate armor - it runs against all known lore in practically every game or story which concerns such things. It's a trade-off for their bad-ass powers. Not only that, but it takes a tremendous amount of physical strength to use a shield effectively in battle, and mages aren't typically known for their strength.

I might want to be a mage some day, at-least I have my shield skilled up, you don't have the right to patronize me.
Oh, I'm quite sure that we/they do.