The issue with php is the type of developers that use it and bloated frameworks. Nearly all developers still debate wether to use setters and getters and have no clue how to use the language itself, as a result using over engineered frameworks. The language itself is nice but is swamped by amateurs.
You know why there are amateurs? Because it's simple, understandable, maintainable, low barrier of entry.
You know what amateurs do with simple things and time? Become professionals. Then they solve other people's problems, rather than solve never-ending developer problems we create ourselves.
Having done PHP development for +12 years, I have never once had a debate about getters and setters. Nor did I know that was something to even debate about.
You are right about the reasons there are so many amateurs in the php world. But i disagree with the statement that they become professionals over time. If you keep doing the same wrong thing over and over you just become better at doing the same wrong thing over and over, many being just old junior developers. Add the fresh supply of amateurs entering the php job market each year and you are stuck.
There are elites among php, you may be one of them, but having interviewed hundreds believe me the quality is very very low.
