They used the term "slackers" in 1954? Im confused.
Any who those guys had an excuse, they were still exhausted after saving the freaking world.
Modern men have an excuse as well. We don't have to work that hard to get what we need; food, sex, beer(weed), entertainment. The "having" and "building" instincts in men are not necessary or encouraged anymore. Single men may have a relatively high unemployment rate, but they also have the lowest poverty-rate. Men are free...and we are happy.