Knitting a scarf, making a friend

Who would've thought that an issue like starting a knitting program would create such controversy?
Trying to explain to colleagues and friends why something as simple as a teen knitting group can't get off the ground can get depressing. Who knits? Who can work with teens? Who can do both? Not many, apparently.

I've been searching for a while for someone who has the patience to work with young people on such a complicated but difficult task. I deliberately had to pass over some folks who made it clear that they would tolerate no behaviors that are associated with normal teens (laughing, goofing off).

I worry that we adults are distrusting our young people more and more. We worry about that the general behavior of teenagers indicates a decay in the world we once knew. We blame parents, we blame television, we blame war. Popular media seems to indicate that society is raising a generation of ever more petulant young savages. I just don't see it. I would describe our fear of youth as a receding trust in ourselves which prevents us from making the connection with adolescents that is so necessary for them to make sense of the world.

I've finally found a librarian who, I believe, is up to the task of teaching knitting without being overly judgmental or demanding of teenagers who are undoubtedly still finding their way in a harsh world. The main thing is to make the task enjoyable and rewarding. I don't think it is particularly difficult. It may take time, patience, and some understanding, but that's also what we get back.