I think it is just the fact that conservative Americans take things seriously whether it be raising a family, performing at work, maintaining their property and just overall executing responsibilities. I really never saw my father especially relaxed until the house was paid for, retirement set & the girls were married off. In his case that was around age 62, at which point his idea of enjoyment was buying the rattiest property he could fined and renovating it to (his idea of) perfection.