Some of the best dividend growth stocks have been at it since my grandparents were raising their families.

No question the rate of dividend growth will vary over time as the economy and individual companies face challenges.   But I think your description of the general population is a tad overstated to say the least.  But even if you buy into that thesis the economy and most companies have faced far greater challenges to their prosperity and come out ahead.

Sure some will encounter difficulties or even fail - it has happened before and will no doubt happen in the future.  But the odds that it becomes a widespread longer term problem is highly improbable.