You do realize that this situation occurred over a long time. Our lifestyles have changed, thereby changing our economic situation as well. In our grandparent’s generation, true, there were fewer boys learning in yeshiva and kollel, but it was expected that children should be able to support themselves after a certain age. That generation lived through either the first or second world war and understood the importance of independence and imbued this philosophy in their children. But that generation was not threatened as their parents had been, and now they feel that the best thing for their children is to not have to suffer as much as they had as children. Therefore they give as much as they can to their children finantially.
B”H, this has encouraged many parents to support their children which was unheard of in past generations.
HOWEVER, by supporting our children to learn in kollel, we tend to forget to support our children in yeshiva ketana so that they will eventually WANT TO go to kollel. The yesod is the MOST important part of a child’s learning! Yes, support kollel, but not at the cost of our children’s education!!!