> It might have something to do with their likelihood of ending up on
> the sidewalk if they do.
It has to do with their irrational fear of ending up on the sidewalk. How many contemporary American workers have been employed steadily for most of their lives? I suspect that many of them have rarely had to deal with difficult transition periods between jobs.
You aren't going to end up on the sidewalk immediately if you lose your job. Most people have spouses to cushion sudden job loss. You can get unemployment for 6 months. Welfare is more difficult these days. Many people have credit cards which they can use to cover expenses.
But people aren't going to take any risks if they think they will become immediately homeless.
Chuck