re: “It’s a little skewed because a lot of the people in these high schools aren’t Shomer Shabbos and Kashrus to begin with. My experience is that not so many have gone off. Unfortunately, I know that my experience has been very lucky and that most of the people I knew from these types of schools were raised properly and very Frum starting out. It is a problem in a lot of places. (I wonder what the rate is for graduates of “Yeshivish” Yeshivos?)”
Sam2, I agree! But I think its more than a little skewed.
A college grad can choose one of three levels of religious practice- the same level of religiosity that they were brought up in, less religious than they were brought up in, and more religious than they were brought up in.
Due to my connection to singles of Modern Orthodox background, I see so many YU/Sterns grads going to the right of their parents, just the opposite, that this all just doesnt ring true!
I read profiles daily of girls whose mothers dont cover their hair and had TV’s and went to movies, and these girls want to cover their hair and not have a TV or go to movies, and guys wanting the same, to move to the right religiously of their parents in their married lives.
Whether they are pursuing advanced secular degrees or are living the Kollel life, they are so genuine. I dont get the feeling the people I deal with are the exception to the rule. They have totally different mindsets and goals. I read inspirational profiles every single day.
Not only that, just for an example, by and large, when a YU/Sterns couple decide to live the Kollel life, no one stipulates that they need parental help. They do it on their own, whether either or both husband and wife already have high paying jobs, or are just en route to the high paying jobs, after the Kollel period. They are truly Mistapek b’Muat. No need for fancy furniture, cars, sheitels, clothing, etc. By and large, materialism is looked down at rather than looked up to! I find the YU Sterns crowd more genuine Ovdai Hashem than those from Yeshivish communities. I know lots of people of all ages from all frumkeit levels and this is what I feel. Modern Orthodox definitions of true frumkeit are remarkably genuine and probably closer to the original Talmidim of R’ Aron Kotler’s era. Im very very impressed.
The OTD type profiles I read, where you see the religious observance lessening after high school and college, are not the Modern Orthodox crowd at all. Use your imaginations.