College Freshmen Failing For the First Time

Was hearing something yesterday on the radio about a college professor saying how much more behind college freshmen are now than they were 20 years ago, how they were "experiencing failure for the first time" in their lives and how devastating it was for them. Could this have anything to do with the fact that they never allow children to repeat grades anymore (in other words, fail)? Could this have just a tiny bit to do with it?

Honestly, every day, for years I have seen children who should not have been promoted to the next grade, but, oh, what about their self esteem? So when they get to college or a job (or, the real world, maybe?) what will happen then? Well, there you have it. Failing for the first time as a college freshman -- or on their first job? Where will it end? In the jails, the homeless shelters, the streets? We should stop setting children up for failure by coddling them and telling them how awesome they are just for following simple instructions. Oh, don't let me get me started.