As a guitar instructor, I agree with the others who have responded to your post: it is only "necessary" if you like fingerstyle guitar music and wish to learn to play it.
If you do decide you want to give it a try, I have a fingerpicking tutorial aimed at beginners that should help get you started.
Here's the link:
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=272
Good luck - have fun!
-Lisa
Lisa McCormick, GT Instructor
Acoustic, Folk, Pop, Blues
Full Catalog of Lisa's Guitar Tricks Tutorials
Find Lisa on Facebook!
Acoustic, Folk, Pop, Blues
Full Catalog of Lisa's Guitar Tricks Tutorials
Find Lisa on Facebook!