I often wonder similar things. A stock is after all only really worth what someone else will pay for it. Do young people these days really have any money? It seems like going forward, there will be a great transfer of wealth, but if much of this wealth is tied up in real estate, and houses need to be sold, good luck getting what you think you should get. Only the first few sellers get the best price at the top.
Going forward, I also feel as if there isn't as much motivation to create wealth, but more so to enjoy life. A good life of course needs money to fuel it, but more and more people these days seem to be just concerned with getting through today, never mind tomorrow. (of course, for many people, its not a choice, they just try to make it to the next meal)
There was also this thread in the past couple of days where companies are trying to get future pensioners off their books by trying to give them a lump sum. If institutional investments and holdings drop, who will be left hold all these stocks??