Did you teach 50 years ago, 100 years ago, or 1000 years ago in order to have some context?
Maybe they're just...kids?
From stories, humans always seem to think they believe in unique and special times and yet rarely do. But we believe we do...because of our...shocker...egos, as you alluded to.
I'm more worried how they end up as adults. And, yes, there is selfishness and "me" attitudes and this will always be exasperated in individualistic countries, as we saw so much in the pandemic. Lots of talk about "me" from many and yes it was sad. But I have no context to say if it's better or worse than years ago. And while vax rates differed by age groups, I think health concerns can explain that. There were other demographic differences, sure, and but imo it was more ideological than age or changes over time. Some demographic groups are more about themselves than the group, sure, but I'd say that group has always existed.