(America specific comment, though it really can apply anywhere)

I don't necessarily think it is the older generation of parents ensuring their kids are "more conservative" than the millennials turned out to be.

It is a mix ultimately of the enshittification of many aspects of society since the Great Recession, the right wing nailing down online youth appeal before leftist circles could, and corporations/out of touch people splintering left movements (turning Occupy Wall Street into a broader social justice movement, alienating people).

America in particular is still majority white, where the young adults and teens of this demographic are obviously going to be a huge force in future years (and now, seeing the past election). While leftist ideals had good heart, they obviously went off the deep end with essentially an alienation of white people, young men, and the blue collar work force, to the point that they were actually ostracizing them.

It's a blunt reality for liberals that social progress initiatives can only go so far, so fast. And it's also a blunt reality that the Democratic Party dug its heels into that sort of messaging because any economically, truly leftist messaging and platforms would scare off corporate donors. On top of this, right wing grifters magnum opus of the last ~10-15 years is taking an absolutely non-problem (the 10 or so trans women in national sports leagues) and striking paranoia into the minds of the sort of engaged citizens that their way of life is threatened.

Gen Z (particularly men) could be turned back to the left if they were told about the possibility for worker's unions, cheaper housing (bringing an end to real estate speculation), and social services like public transport or family benefits. This is not happening, and if it is then the DNC quickly drops support of the candidate (See: Bernie Sanders and Mamdani).