Some complicit older people, of all backgrounds, may have been in the struggle in the 60s/70s but got embittered when those movements were smashed. Then they sold out, because hey at least there was a middle class to join, a decent life. This generation sees no future on offer, nothing to buy into.

No one will tell you more forcefully that it's not possible to follow your dreams than someone who tried, failed, and carries that pain still. It's partially genuine that they want to protect you from experiencing that too - mostly it's a paternalistic, condescending bitterness that metastasized.