> That means people are choosing to prioritize their current lifestyles over working less
If their lifestyle is extravagant, then yes, you are correct.
But if it's a choice between having a stable lifestyle with the ability to save for retirement versus living paycheck to paycheck, that's not a real choice, is it?
For a more absurd example, just about anyone could live more cheaply in a van. But saying to people "you could work part time if you were just willing to downgrade your lifestyle and live in a van" would be absurd. Not living in a van is a "choice" that we all make, but it's not really a choice, is it?
If their lifestyle is extravagant, then yes, you are correct.
But if it's a choice between having a stable lifestyle with the ability to save for retirement versus living paycheck to paycheck, that's not a real choice, is it?
For a more absurd example, just about anyone could live more cheaply in a van. But saying to people "you could work part time if you were just willing to downgrade your lifestyle and live in a van" would be absurd. Not living in a van is a "choice" that we all make, but it's not really a choice, is it?