Yes, I think there is some truth in this observation. It is very obviously not true of all, or even the majority, of young people but I think it is becoming more prevalent. Though, my observation would be that whilst it is increasingly common in the under 30’s, I see it creeping into all generations.
I think a large part of it stems from over praise, even for just doing what is standard/what is expected. There is so much hyperbole- I am all for praise where praise is due, but really we need to help our children be realistic. Alongside a perception that children cannot be allowed to fail (and if they do, it is almost always someone else to blame), must be sheltered from uncomfortable feelings/that those feelings are always harmful- by way of example, see the surge in parents seek anxiety diagnosis/ allowances made for their children having anxiety around exam time. This simply pathologises what is a normal (though not always pleasant) emotion. It is ok to feel sad, angry, worried, anxious, feeling under pressure etc sometimes- it is how you learn to manage those emotions (Obviously, I am not suggesting ignoring anxiety disorders, depression, extreme stress responses, OCD, eating disorders etc). Then, when confronted with these feelings at a time when the matter at hand cannot be avoided, what happens? The individual does not know how to cope and life is even harder. Same with not being able to cope with criticism- if you are told you are great/doing well all the time, it is then hard to understand why someone is criticising you/letting you know what you have done does not meet the standard required when you are simply working at the level/behaving in the way you always have.
I think there is also this need to dramatise/over-react when things go wrong or someone does do something they should not (I am guessing this may be in response to the thread where a child was hit by a pen the teacher threw- and is now to traumatised to go to school on the days she has this class). I think there is a tendency to make a huge deal out of something that is, in the grand scheme of things, not a massive or insurmountable problem. I am not saying ignore the issue, they often do need addressed, but sometimes you do just have to accept things and shrug it off. People are too often “devastated” or “traumatised”, when actually they are mildly distressed, a bit upset or annoyed. These situations can often be adequately dealt with via way of an apology being given, reassurance it won’t happen again and then everyone moving on.
We tell children they are all absolutely equal at everything- we aren’t. We are all of equal value as human beings, but our abilities are not all equal. When we overpraise children and young people, it is not helpful. They either get an inflated sense of self- and then it comes crashing down when their expectations are not met/they do not achieve what they were led to believe/receive critcism- or are fully aware that the “award” or praise they are getting is not warranted, which damages their self-esteem. Both are recognised phenomenon by developmental psychologists.
Add in being allowed to avoid things which they find difficult- e.g. public speaking- on ground of protecting mental health, rather than being helped to overcome the issue and this is what we get.
I think there are many, many fantastic, hard working and resilient young people though. But I do think we there is a creeping issue and we do need to look at how best to address it.