This is mostly right. People definitely get more respect when they work. Just a personal example, I delayed going into the workforce for awhile because I was working on a research project that I myself was extremely proud of more than any job would bring. But my family couldn't understand why I was doing the project let alone putting off work for it. It's just something that they couldn't connect with. OP is definitely right that there's a social contact of sorts where you attain a higher status because you have a job, and even better a career, and also if you get married, or have kids. I for one can't wait until this social contract tying work with respect gets destroyed.