Well I’d agree with Altras that the middle gets “squeezed” I think one side ( which shall go unmentioned) feels very comfortable telling the rest of folks what to do. Not all classes, not all schools, but many. Not speaking up is not the same as not having an opinion. Often folks think because they can speak freely and their opinion is freely considered that everyone else is fine too. But that’s not the norm.
It’s great if kids are in a place where everyone feels comfortable and honest about sharing their perspectives. That’s the ideal. I’d be very surprised to find it in higher education these days.