Religious Youth

Frankly, I find it unsettling when today's youth actively follow a religious practice, especially when said following disrupts their social activities and lives. It is not wrong (of course) to do so, but it seems out of place in today's fast-paced, technological and ever-evolving world to be devout in one's religious beliefs. I believe the argument has been made before, but how do ancient religious ideals actually relate to today's society? It seems almost foolish to devote significant portions of one's time to practicing rigid and structural ceremonies, created centuries or even millennia ago.
With older generations, practicing religion seems much more understandable; they have had to deal with the experience of the hardships of total war, threat of nuclear attack, economic collapse, and similar bleak periods. From such darkness, a people must find hope, which religion has long since provided. However, over time, tradition changes, even dies out. What keeps today's teenagers and children practicing a religious belief? Understandably, many younger children are forced by their parents to do so, but I find it surprising that more teenagers do not dispose of these habits when they leave for either college or the work force. For what reasons do today's youth have to pray?
I do not dispute some of the purer points of religious belief, such as the concentration on one's ethics and moral behaviors; I find myself more concerned with rituals and practices such as fasting, studying of religious text, and going to religious institutions such as churches. What keeps the youth motivated to continue doing such things? How does it relate to their fast, "go-go" lifestyles? Brainwashing? I digress.

Shalom,
Me