That's about what I'd attribute it to as well. Just not paying attention. I also think some of these parents are still too trusting and ignorant of the schools and teachers. So on top of paying attention they are sold into consciously opening doors to make their kids into zombies.

I think the whole SEL concept is even older actually. I don't recall being pushed any white guilt in school close to 20 years ago, but they were definitely trying to play the emotional manipulation game. I don't know if their plan was to tear me down so they could rebuild or whatever, but that's sure what it felt like. Lucky for me I'm the stubbornest little shit I know and it didn't take, but it messed with my head the majority of my school years.

I do think it's a lot worse in schools now. This being close to a holiday I tend to interact with all my little cousins (mostly 8-14 year olds) at gatherings more than the rest of my family that likes to ignore them. For some reason they gravitate to me anyway. It's been sort of shocking to see once they get into school how their mental state changes. Particularly the ones I'd call more "different," not meaning like retards but more like not of the zombie personality the schools want. They mess these kids up in the head. The one total exception? My one home-schooled cousin, it's hard to describe but I get the idea he actually has the capability to think through things on his own. Albeit as a 12yo boy sometimes you still get stupid outcomes from that thought, but it's the process. Definitely not a regurgitater of things he's been told that's for sure.