They’re buying the normal house for the time. The average house then and the average wage then vs the average house now and the average wage now. That house is more expensive now in relative terms....it takes more years of the average wage to buy it now than it took then.
Education is more expensive - considerably more expensive - adjusted for inflation. Tuition grew way faster than inflation for many years.
Economic conditions for someone starting out today have deteriorated considerably from conditions in the late 60s through the 80s.
The average house has grown in size, amenities and finish because the average buyer is more affluent.
But if you want to whine about an earlier generation paying less to get into a house at all it only makes sense to compare the scale and type of house that was being bought then.
For one last time, that is still accessible for those willing to lead the life and have the lifestyle that first-time purchasers made and had then.
Which really means you haven’t any kind of a rationale basis for your whining.
Ansd the same, once again, goes for college. Yes, the prices have risen faster, but a) lots of other goodies are tossed in, b) the basics can still be bought affordably if you’re willing to settle for that, and c) someone else is footing most of the bill for today’s college goers anyway.