[M2Ys4U]

People do things that give them self-worth, dignity and meaning even if they don't get paid to do them.

I mean that's pretty much the definition of a hobby.

[bumby]

There's an added value to being felt as necessary to one's society that a hobby may not capture. To the point of the commenter above, something like volunteer work would probably fulfill that need better than a hobby.

[M2Ys4U]

I guess that depends on the hobby - some are more solo pursuits but others are more social.