The past is indeed a different country ...... I suspect that my generation is the Golden one, for which I am grateful.
In contrast to young folk's fortunes, this is my summary. Its not a brag, many of my peer group did better, few worse.
Definitely virtuous working class grandparents and parents, who made grammar school possibe. "If I can afford it, we can have it. Otherwise not".
Age 18 left school hatfull of O levels, 3 science A levels, entered MoD Met at lowest grade
23: married, wife stopped paid work and never returned, ever.
Age 31 family complete, four children
Had a proper UK holiday every year, always on property ladder, always had new cars and ran them for no longer than 3 years.
Ensured all children educated to 18, all with good A levels, two to uni, two to management.
Moved house at Her Majesty's command every 3 years or so.
Moved up greasy pole and up housing ladder.
Retired at 60 to nice village, 5 beds, been drawing super pension 26 years.
Regardless of military versus civil, that synopsis is unobtainable these days without the bank of Mum and Dad or a legacy. My grandchildren flatly disbelieve that we are not posh and privileged. The grandchildren married couples, house owners, with £100,000 combined salaries can not afford anything like my life-style.
I suspect this is the pattern in the developed world. That's Life.