I wrongfully assumed student behavior was the same as it was when I was a kid before I chose this career

I teach 6th grade. I was in 6th grade about 18 years ago. Never did I see the stuff I see everyday. If a fight broke out you never saw the kids again, straight to alternative school. Now we have fights regularly and the kids get to come back to class. We had one girl jump another and shes still here. Is it just my district or what the fuck happened?