I totally agree, it is not as simple as hand in your notice. There's a 101 reasons why. The job market is not what it used to be, these day's many people change career or jobs more often. A job for life is not so common today, unless you are a doctor, nurse, civil servant and so on. A funeral director will never be out of a job.
I stuck at a mind numbing, job in terrible conditions because I had rent to pay, I had been "fired" from previous positions and I dreaded claiming unemployment benefit. There wasn't a window in a cramped room that could open, and we were operating hot machinery that gave off steam. Bit like psych ward I was in. Windows wouldn't open and in summer you would fry. The boss gave you no respect, and treated you not much better than a dogs body. On top of that there was a student working a summer, and the woman in charge of our shop was always comparing us and saying that I should be like her as she was at uni but did not bother with boys (she had a boyfriend)

I left a seasonal job a few weeks back, because I was facing harassment and trying to explain to one of my parents was like telling a brick wall. This person was practically untouchable and slated me right in front of the superiors who just turned a blind eye. I live somewhere beautiful, but d^%n if your face doesn't fit, you have had it. It is about who you know and not what you know. There's a village mentality, considering it is a town. It is not somewhere you can keep a secret and your business to yourself. But maybe it is similar everywhere and we just don't face it. I was told you should have just put your head down, worked hard until end of season, but it was clear she did not want me there would go out her way to make life difficult, and I couldn't stand up for myself without causing a scene. It was a no-win situation.
I think I am ready to sit that degree, that I should have obtained before I got ill. I like to learn and think knowledge is power. Ignorance is not bliss.
Yes Britain is different from the USA. We have more of a safety net don't we?? And free health and dental care.
My father and me didn't agree on a lot, but he said - doesn't matter where I moved to I would return to my home town in the end. Maybe he was right.
My mum also said - I don't care if she's a lesbian.
It didn't make it any easier though. I knew for sure at 18, no shadow of a doubt.