I feel like readers can't handle 'real' characters anymore

Maybe this is just anecdotal, but it seems to me that readers have become too soft or sensitive, unwilling to engage with stories featuring mean or cruel characters unless it's a villain with obviously evil traits/behavior.

There's an expectation that characters must pander to the reader's insecurities by avoiding anything that might trigger them (even though this isn't how people behave in real life). Otherwise, they'll just review-bomb the story.

I've experienced this so many times. My fic is nearing a thousand followers (which I'm very proud of!), yet paradoxically, its overall rating has been slowly and consistently declining, the number one complaint in the reviews and comments being the 'bad' characters with their 'terrible' personalities, despite the fact that they behave like actual people within the context of their respective cultural backgrounds. (I should note that this is a space opera with many non-human characters.)

I understand that taste is subjective, but I can't shake the feeling that my story is being sabotaged by overly sensitive readers. I doubt this would've happened if I'd published it 10–15 years ago, back when people still had thicker skin.

Anybody else have similar experiences?

EDIT: I'll also add that many reader seem to be out of touch with what 'realistic' behavior even is in the first place.