Im not certain exactly what age group you are referring to but we had a couple of 20 year olds in the pottery this year who did quite a bit of damage. They were incredibly lazy, disruptive, arrogant, and un-trainable. They, in general, seemed to lack a grasp of employment, and service.

I do of course realize that its been quite a while since I was that age and that I may have been as obstinate when I was a kid. I however arrived at the workplace with a pre-installed work ethic. That absence in them was the most noticeable aspect of what I saw. Fortunately they are gone now. My lead and myself do as much or more work than the four of us did. Much of the effect is due to the increased teamwork she and I are now able to keep intact though.

Again, I think that kids these days are in many cases about 5 years behind the children of the rest of the world in maturity. I think that is why they are getting stomped in the professional areas and indeed in comparison with the performances of kids in the primary school systems (specifically in the later grades, I believe that up to grade 5 they perform about equal). Granted there are exceptions, and I see them constantly in my work. The children of caring, involved, parents shine out almost like an oddity. I am especially impressed with the children of home schooling parents. When I see and interact with them in a crowd they are obvious. Both other potters and myself have noticed this.

Joel.