I put myself through college, too. But then I was only paying about $1500 a year. Today, I've never seen it happen unless it's a kid who's been able to qualify for scholarships to pay for most of it. And they aren't the majority. There's no way a part-time job today will be anything but a drop in the bucket for college costs. And many kids won't physically qualify for the military. So, yes, for most middle class families today parents will have to help out. That's life. Wishing for the old days doesn't make things happen.
It doesn't have anything to do with wishing.