Cost of living (especially education) is higher than ever, and wages haven't kept up.
My generation (X) was the last one where someone could support themselves and work their way through college...now due to housing and tuition costs and low wages, a kid would have to work 60 hours a week to afford those things, which obviously means they can't also attend classes or do the homework.
Of course, most people assume what worked for them will work for others even though it is no longer the case.