I suspect it's always been the case that some children thrive more than others in whatever environment they find themselves. If change is involved, the changers and adapters succeed; if change is repressed the advance-in-status-quo succeed.
Good summary. People have different personalities, and various environments are more conducive than others for certain types. I’m a “status-quo” person, myself, and have fortunately placed myself in a niche where that works!