I don't really get your first paragraph - there's a world of difference in options between those at the top & those at the bottom.
Nonetheless, I agree it's always a choice... to an extent. When you've got others depending upon you to provide, or you're not educated or mature enough to understand what all this means and are just trying to survive - how much of it is really a choice?
I'm not saying they're saints, but I expect at least some of them would rather be doing something else if they could get enough pay for it.