BIG BAD WOLF Speaking about newcomers or beginners:
An opponent of mine lost 6 points because he resigned a match with cube at 2. He would by all means NOT lose any gammon or backgammon and he would just lose 2 points. But instead of 4-2 the score went to 8-2!!!!
I don't know if you call this protection of the newcomers!
Also if you will say that he may not knew this and now he knows, he would resign hopeless positions ONLY after he bears off some checkers, i have to say that this would bring another already mentioned problem: Why to wait to bear off a checker to resign? A resign offer of a single game, would be much better and FAST way!