I'm 20 (almost). Here's my impression: In the US (East Coast) the instrumental traditions have a large following. This includes old time, irish, new england contra and other things I'm forgetting right now. There are also young people that sing unacompanied stuff in the morris crouds and there are shape note singers and people into Balkan stuff. BUT, I still have trouble finding anyone who's comfortable singing ballads or other solo unacompanied stuff. I think this is because nobody is taught to listen to others in a non-performance, informal setting. They all want to sing participatory songs. And it's awkward to be the only one who wants to share a ballad when everyone else does stuff that others can join in on, it becomes more of an egotistical performance than it should have to be. I'm busy lending my music with the hopes that if people listen to unacompanied singing they'll learn some stuff and the situation will change (mind you, not so you old folkies can die happily, but so that when you're not around anymore, I can live happily)
julia