My parish has tried to improvel situation by actively recruiting only boys. It doesn’t work. Altar service has been effectively redefined as “women’s work” and boys only serve as their parents make them do it. They quit at the earliest opportunity. That is the problem with women taking administrative positions in the church and “ministries.” Men look at these things now as “women’s work.” Religion is becoming what women do. That will be the hardest of the corruptions of the faux “spirit” of Vatican II to undo.
A big mistake. It does away with the notion that serving is women's work, but doubles down on the notion that it's kid stuff.
Are there no men in your parish? Real men? Altar serving should always be dominated by adult males. Short of being a priest or a husband and father, it's the most manly thing a man can do. This is how you tell the world you mean business. Don't have any real men in your parish? Then get some -- by asking them to step up and own the responsibility that comes with manhood.
Just keep asking the boys if they ever thought about being an altar server.
Perhaps the change needs to come from us!