[kamaal]

>>avoids the psychology wherein no vacation is had, which is toxic

Define vacations, if its synonymous with going away(traveling) to some other place, I would say vacations are first world luxuries. Especially in the US, its easier for your guys because the basic thing required to travel namely food, travel prices and hotel accommodation are relatively cheaper. Also international travel is easy since you almost get Visa to any where if you are a US citizen. And for most US citizens dollar having a higher exchange rate is huge plus.

In most middle class families in India, you would be shrugged as a spent thrift for spending a lot of money while your peer is saving money to buy his own house.

[eru]

I guess for the purposes of this discussion, we can define vacation as just spending time off the job. You do not have to travel anywhere. Staying home with the kids is fine.

If you are so poor (or run your own still fragile business), that you can not take afford to take a few days or weeks off, then this obviously doesn't apply to you.