In 2009, at the height of the O'Care debate, we traveled to Santa Cruz, California. The "hippy" atmosphere was a bit of a turnoff for me - too many people accepting menial work, so they can be free to live the "good life". At restaurants, shops, tourist traps - we were waited on by kids (not all young) who looked like they should be beyond the waitress/waiter/store clerk stage in their careers. I felt like most of them were probably college grads who just didn't want to enter the 9 to 5 work world. That's their choice, no skin off my back.
On the third day, a Tuesday, we drove to a park, high above a favorite surfing spot. It was about 11:00 in the morning. We watched dozens of surfers, doing their thing, taking occasional breaks from the surf to sit on the cliffs and smoke a joint/drink a beer. Their ages seemed to range from the twenties to the fifties. I was a little surprised that so many "adults" could afford to be at the beach in the middle of the day. Then it hit me. They choose to wait tables at night so they can surf all day. AND, since they earn so little, WE WOULD SOON BE BUYING THEM HEALTH INSURANCE!
The one thing that used to keep people in the work world was health insurance. Obamacare has remedied that (as if it was some kind of curse). Now, they don't have to worry. If they don't work hard or choose to work in a menial job, they will have free health insurance, thanks to those who do work hard at tough jobs!
I know that feeling, to want to prolong living adulthood as long as possible, while you are still young.
Its also possible that they got degrees in things that there are few jobs in.
However working a job like waiter or fry cook or grocery clerk being on feet all day gets less and less fun every decade older.
Ahhh Santa Cruz...the model town for the Progressive State.
Hang at the beach and live off the State.