There's defiantly a lot of both going around. Self-improvement is possible, the people saying it can't be done are catastrophizing or hyperbolizing. Yes, you can buy a house, but it takes longer, and requires more savings and careful planning. More than it every used to. It is also true that this is the worst generation to have to face that problem, as they have the lowest work-ethic, worst time preference, and most cynicism than pretty much anyone but the millennials.