NC as I don't want this linking to my other posts.
I was diagnosed with a chronic illness back in 2005 (aged 42 at the time,) and I struggled badly with the pain, and ended up by 2007 on a cocktail of pills to douse the pain.
Long story short, I went to the doctors and told them I was struggling with the pain and she could see physically that it was bad. She took pity on me and wrote me off on sick for 3 months (I didn't ask her to.) Then at the end of the 3 months, my workplace was shedding some staff, and I was one who was laid off.
I went to the job centre and they helped me look for a new job, but because of my condition I really struggled. So the job centre (after 3 months of no luck!) suggested I apply for incapacity benefit.
So by 2008 (aged 45) I went on to this benefit and also applied for DLA. Which I got.
10 years on I am still on it, I still have my condition, and I am on the strongest meds possible for it, and they make me quite tired some days, and give me bad headaches some days too. (And at least 2 or 3 migraines a month.)
I am in some degree of pain most days, and suffer bad pain about a third of the time. I find it hard to plan anything or promise anyone anything, and can be quite unreliable, because I never know how I am going to be that day - or week. (And obviously, holding down a job is very difficult.)
So whilst I look OK (to most people) and do have days when I function OK, and actually go out in the car, (not far as I can't drive more than 10 miles,) and I do light gardening (planting seeds, and bedding plants, and pulling up very small weeds,) there is no WAY I could work now.
I have been off far too long, my conditions fluctuates, the tabs make me tired, and they cause headaches. In addition, I would just be too unreliable because of my chronic illness.
As I said though, to outsiders I look OK, and I also never complain about the pain, and I certainly never tell anyone that I am on sickness benefits.
I have to say also that if the condition was suddenly cured, and I was much better, I would genuinely struggle to go back to work now. My condition, pain, and side effects aside, I actually enjoy not having to go to work. I worked for almost 30 years (before going on disability benefits,) and I have to say, I very rarely enjoyed any job. (Always basic admin or factory work or shop work, as I have very few qualifications and left school at 16.) I was often either bullied, ridiculed, or ignored.
As a few people have said, most people go to work for the money, and would never go if they won the lottery or got a big inheritance or whatever.
I know about TEN people around my age - 45 to 55 who know I don't work, (I just tell them I am a homemaker,) and they ALL envy me, they wish they could finish work, and they wonder how I do it. I don't know ANYONE who loves their job. I am sure some people DO, but I just don't know any.
I actually know two 24 y.o young women right now, who have only been in the workplace 2-3 years since leaving uni, and they HATE it, and don't know how they are going to do it for 50 years! One even mentioned getting pregnant/having a couple of kids when she is 26-27, and plans to have a decade off work! 2 years she has worked, that's all - in a VERY cushy (well-paid at £33K a year) job for the council, and she is already planning a decade off as she hates work so much!
I think working full time in a minimum pay 'fixed hours' is soul destroying tbh, and although I don't condone it, it's understandable why people do their best to not do it, whether they stay on benefits, become a SAHM, or go part time.
OR as a few people have said, working for yourself, running your own little business, being an actor, writer, artist, sculptor, or something similar would be OK for some people, but the reality is, (sadly,) that it's not possible for many people, because they can't earn the money they need to live.
Before anyone says anything btw, I know people HAVE to work or there would be no money in the system to support anyone, but it doesn't change the fact that most people wouldn't work (especially fixed hours) for someone else, if they didn't HAVE to...
Finally, some half a century a go (and beyond,) it was perfectly acceptable for women to be SAHMs/homemakers, even when the kids left home. Many women NEVER went into paid employment. Now it's like you're some kind of failure in life if you don't have a great career, or at least a full time job. Problem is, many women who DO work, still do most of the wifework and childcare anyway. No wonder so many women end up frazzled and depressed!
As I said, I worked last at 45, and was there (all the time) for my kids from when they were 10-11 y.o, and they both said they LOVE me being at home all the time. I have to say I loved being there for them too.
I do have to say that I disagree that working women love their job/career more than their children. I think that is unfair and a bit cruel sorry.... 