This thread has left the tracks....
I DO think there has been a change, I have seen it in my lifetime. I drove a car I bought, with my own money and fixed up.... Go look in a high school parking lot today. Some of these kids are driving nicer cars then their parents.
Why? I suppose it is not surprising that our society expects government to "take care of them" since so many have come to expect it... Not trying to turn political, so I will stop there.
Entitled hikers? Why not, so much of our society seems to feel "entitled" hiking need not be unique.
What is cool, the part that can not be circumvented is that you have to do it. Even with the griping about the approach some take to the trail... If you are there, you walked there.