You are right about the harder part but possibly not understanding why.
Society has been overly feminized and made weak as a result. Participation ribbons rather than being told good that you turned up but you have to improve if you want the spoils of victory. More effort needed was the message rather than the praise for mediocrity of today.
School standards for both teachers and pass marks for the kids dramatically reduced. Govts have their soft pliable society that believe whatever they are told now. Can't do the sums anyway should some doubts creep in if they want to check things.
