scroggs, no, I mostly just don't believe that this particular line-in-the-sand, 26 years (that is twenty six), is being drawn in the right place. 27-28 wouldn't bother me - for now anyway!
People who say "tough" often have had everything in life on a silver plate, the perspective is very different when you're the one getting screwed at the first hurdle or indeed trying to explain 'tough' to your 26-year old son or daughter. My high school guidance teacher used to boast about a former 6ft 6' pupil who got accepted into the RAF, to fly Hercules with a modified seat to accomodate him. If arbitrary criteria are up for negotiation even with the RAF, it shows there's always ways and means, as well there should be.