The "Me" Generation - Magnified

In this article - The Pursuit of Gratification - the author examines our current culture and isn't surprised that we find ourselves in this situation:

"'Today's emphasis on feeling good reflects the fact that the individual self has become the central focus of social, moral and cultural life,' writes Furedi. 'Feeling good' becomes an escape from civic virtue and the demands of community life, where hard work, sacrifice, altruism and commitment are antithetical to immediate gratification. A late education is better than no education at all, but Hillary obviously finds small consolation in the fact that it was her indulgent generation that put into play what she now rails against. Life can be a tough schoolmaster."

Not to put all the blame back on public schools, but much of this is, at minimum, re-enforced by educational practices employed over the years that focus on individual self-esteem and feeling good even though you don't get results.