IMVHO it's the political correctness that every participant in this discussion is exhibiting (in varying degrees) that is the cause of teens going of the derech or at least lacking any interest in Judaism. We are so busy trying to be equal to others that we end up being apologetic for being Jewish.
Jewish pride is lost.
As a Jew, I believe that I'm special because I'm a member of the chosen nation. It's not due to my personal achievements that I warrant this status but because I am a descendant of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who dedicated their lives to finding and understanding G-d when no one else believed (see Duet. 7:7-8; 9:5-6).