Unfortunately, this is largely the natural progression of society. Back then, we didn't know how to handle these kids, thus we ham stringed them from the get go. They had the unfortunate luck to be born at a time when we're just awakening to the idea that we should treat children differently than adults, and with absolutely NO awareness that different children require different rearing techniques.
The good news is that, despite all the bullshit,we really have progressed quite far. I doubt, 80 years from now were you to quiz a similar group of kids from today, you'd get the same response. No, instead you might hear how society let them down, that they always felt society always failed to live up to their expectations.
Ah, progress!