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Or rather, compare how successful they were at your age, compared to your failures?
Great present...
Even if it was an attempt to exercise the so-called "tough love" - the timing could not have been worse.
Parents shouldn't really be comparing children to themselves in the first place. A child is not meant to be a copy or a "bettered" version of themselves.
Your parents may have a mild case of narcissism. its really hard to ignore it, but its really the only thing you can do.
The current socio-economic condition is much different than 20-40 years ago, so it's absolutely unfair for any parent to compare their successes/career path at ANY time, let alone a birthday.
IMO it's emotionally abusive and not constructive. I am very sorry OP, hopefully your parent understands that things are not as simple in the modern economy as they were in the 70's, 80's or early 90's.
No, that's just putting you down. Not a healthy thing to do to your kids...