That is not an explanation, it is an excuse. Where I worked at in Fairbanks workers got 15 an hour with no experience to start. Here, around 10 an hour, same job. It didn’t stop me from accepting work. I suspect it has nothing to do with a defeatist attitude in that case: He saw an opportunity to do less, and he took it. Don’t get me wrong, I would love extra time off, as much as the next guy, and their are times when I do feel so low like it is just not worth it to try anymore. But that is just plain ridiculous to use that as an excuse to not have a job when your family is broke, especially during the holidays. What’s he gonna say? “Sorry we don’t have presents, daddy felt like having some time off.” (I know presents aren’t the main idea behind *********, but trying telling a child that.)