The book that I am reading right now talks about this very subject. What you are saying is true and so far everything that anyone has posted on this thread is equally true. But where we went wrong is like you said we coddled these kids. One other aspect that will probably be missed is that the support network that people used to have is no longer what it used to be. Years ago people would marry younger but even then you had relatives real close by to lend a helping hand that is not the case today.
Why is every generation worse than the generation before? Many young married couples in the early 1950's had to live with their parents before they could buy a house. During the immigration years in this country apartments housed up to 8 adults, married or not. When families had large farms early in this country, the parents would GIVE their children land to build their own homes and live near by.
Baby boomers aren't paying for college so the kids have alot of debt. Divorce if so high that these kids have no one helping them make decisions because their parents are too concerned with themselves. 20 year olds now have to pay auto insurance, health care, and high taxes on everything. When I moved out in the 70's, car insurance was an option, health care was cheap, renting was cheap, gas for my car was 70 cents, ciggs were 50 cents.
Also these kids are lied too. College is NOT for everyone. You still have to have a high IQ to graduate in a good major. Yet the boomers want their kids to go to college , take out loans and let the tax payer worry about them paying it back.
"Years ago people would marry younger but even then you had relatives real close"
You have your relatives really close if you are living with them. What about having a job and a life in the area where your parents live without living with them?.
I left my house 8 years ago, at the age of 25, right after I finished college; I went to a place where I had no network and no family; and I am talking Spain, way more difficult than here. I came here to the USA, I still have no network and no family (well, except for a son, but he can't help me financially).
The difference is that my parents always told me "you have to FIGHT for what you want and you have to have your OWN LIFE."