Or the fact that they are younger than your children

Before I read other posts, I would like to write out my respose to your initial question...

When I hear (or read) the word "genius" I think of one who is gifted with an an uncommon intelligence in a subject(s) special to each of the individual genius. So, with using the word "gifted" I think of that which one is given without having to work hard to achieve, study to know, or keep trying to obtain.

(Someone who is intelligent, on the other hand, is one who is able to understand complexities, to put it simply.)

I do not believe that genius reside in each and every one of us. Here I will metion personality tests. I do not use personality tests as a matter-of-fact that one is exactly defined as a result from such a test tells him he is. Rather, from such tests I come to realize that the pool of geniuses is rather small while there are many people who can be identified as protectors and healers and artesian (for examples).

Could it be a Western thought, that each and every person have genius potential, running along the same line that you can be what ever you want to be, so long as you put your mindg to it and work hard?)

On the other hand, there is a possibility that I have yet to explore. What is one's environment has a role in molding a genius? I would have to research various geniuses and look back on their early lives and their influences. That is all I will say on this, although my hypothesis is that one's environment does not play a part in shaping a genius. To say that I would also need to mention that there may be a comparison of genius across cultures...

Thanks, I don't know if you have a skilled trade or not, but you can look into apprenticeship programs, they're usually free, aside from a small application fee. Your local OneStop should have information on some of the ones near you. I'm going to get into an apprenticeship program for plumbing and pipefitting.