I think a lot of the time, we just copy what was 'done' to us. What was expected of us by our parents and society. If we had to put up with it- Why shouldn't the next generation? Why shouldn't our peers?
Especially when it comes down to things we probably don't like to do- like getting a job. It's like- as a society, we all police one another to make sure everyone is pulling their weight! I suppose the other things are having children and then, just the same sort of pressures- how are they doing? Working hard to become productive members of society also?