when I was young, about 14 I think, we went to Lake Garda in Italy as a family. I saw 2 or 3 really amasing jazz bands and couldn't stop watching the bassist. It re-affirmed my love for bass and made me actually buy one to begin the switch from guitar.
It would be a horrible shame if today's 14 year olds are not getting the same experience, but I suspect the "problem" is less rife than the thread implies.