I think it also has alot to do with the current zeitgeist in the industry. We have tech heavyweights like Facebook with React and Google with Angular pushing th

I think it also has alot to do with the current zeitgeist in the industry. We have tech heavyweights like Facebook with React and Google with Angular pushing this method of web development which is causing a bandwagon effect. I don't think businesses see it so much as a cost saving measure but think this must be the "right" way to do it because that's what Facebook and Google do. Nobody gets fired for choosing React or Angular. Suddenly there's a huge demand for "front end engineers" so if you're just starting out and want to get your foot in the door as a webdev you're probably going to need to know something like React or Angular. I don't believe it's an issue of younger devs not being able to learn server-side coding but just a lack of demand for it outside of the enterprise.