There is no need to compare with the situation 30-50 years ago, owning real estate today is becoming much more expensive than 5-10 years ago . This shows that the world is changing too quickly.
What you say is not wrong but those young people will also have to grow up, need to get married and have children. They cannot live single all their lives or indulge in those pleasures without thinking about the future. There comes a time when they don't want those things anymore and they want to live a peaceful life . They will continue to change their minds and the dream of owning a house will always be in their minds because it is the best way to settle down with their small family.
It's because young generations like to spend money.
They buy a cup of coffee from popular cafe instead of make their own coffee, they could save 80% from that.
They like buying or doing anything for "self reward", like eating in fancy restaurants etc.
Men who have girlfriend act like they're a husband, whenever they go out, men provide everything.
If they cut all of them and choose to invest, they can buy house. The past and now are same, it just people now want to live by following the society.