<p>It depends. In terms of financial hardship and/or potentially being drafted into a war, this generation has gotten off easy. </p>
<p>However, the expectations of what you need to do to get into college these days are ridiculously harsh. In some cases, it’s easier to get on the faculty of a university than attend it. And also the expectations of what is “good” have changed. For many Baby Boomers, going to college was a sign of success. For their kids, if they don’t get into the ivy league, they have failed. (And in the old days, getting into the ivy league was more assured by being in the right circles and/or the right schools.)</p>