Is the next generation softening? Well, at least one muscular man thinks so.

There has been a lot of debate over the years about whether the generations are gradually getting frailer.

Other than suffering less strife and conflict throughout their lives, there isn’t much evidence to prove that.

However, Arnold Schwarzenegger has stated publicly that future generations in America are overprotected.

The former bodybuilder stated that if young people are constantly coddled, the country will be ‘producing a generation of wimps and weak individuals.’

Schwarzenegger, a former California governor, went on to argue that suffering breeds strong individuals.

On the Howard Stern Show, he said, “You can only strengthen your character and become a really strong person inside if you have resistance, if you fail, if you get up again, and if you work hard.”

The 76-year-old argued that the more struggles a person has in life, the more likely they are to achieve since it builds resilience.

He went on to argue, however, that society is overly sensitive and attentive to young people’s sentiments.

“Anyone who tries to baby themselves and pamper themselves… it’s over,” he told Stern. You’re never going to make it.”

Schwarzenegger urged that the younger generation learn to ‘take pain, sorrow, and discomfort’ in order to be ‘tougher’.

There were some valid arguments raised; however, they may have been presented incorrectly by the wrong individual.

For example, he went on to discuss the challenges of first-generation Americans and how hard they fought to make a life for themselves.

“Is it people who slept in?” he asked. Is it the folks who were hesitating? “Oh, I want to feel good. “Oh, I want to be at ease. ‘ No.”

“This is where ballsy women and men went out there at five in the morning and got up, and they struggled. They fought. They worked their butts off,” he said.

“That’s what made America great.” So let’s keep going in this direction.”

Though the actor went on to add that being thoughtful is still “nice,” the intention was not to “over-baby the kids.”

“Let’s go and teach kids to be tough, go out and do sports, struggle, and go through this kind of painful moment sometimes.”

Perhaps the strong man is on to something, or perhaps he was raised in a time that shunned emotions and developed a culture of “suffering in silence.”

Who can say?