I think you have hit on something important with your "we were tough" statement. There seems to be very little "mental toughness" these days. saying something unkind is considered 'bullying'.

When I was in middle school, if the worst thing that happened was someone called me "four-eyes", (remember that commercial?) that was a really good day. "Bullying" was when one of the bigger kids beat you up and took your lunch money. I think a good dose of the old 'sticks and stones' mentality would go a long way.