I grew up in the '80s listening to pop radio, and I still enjoy those songs very much-- Michael Jackson, Tears for Fears, REM, U2, Def Leppard, etc. I do find myself drawn to the first half of the decade much more than the second, but that may just be a puberty effect or something, as people younger or older than me have different halcyon days.

My interest in acoustic guitar led me to the singer-songwriters of the 1960s and 1970s, many of whom had some folk music in their repertoires, but only as a small part, usually in the early part of their careers. I was at least 35 before I ever heard of a "Child Ballad." If my cousin hadn't sparked my interest in Kate Rusby ten years ago, I might never have heard of them. I have learned a lot since then, but only a fraction of what there is to know, and almost no one in my generation knows a fraction of what I know, because they have other interests.

The children of the 1980s and after simply didn't grow up hearing a lot of folk music. Their parents played other music. I agree that the unpopularity of guitar is a big factor in the lack of interest in folk music by the last two generations of American children. Music in general plays a smaller role in their lives as well; computers and electronics predominate.