kollel in EY is definitely not the easy way out!!
Going with the herd is certainly the easy way out. Especially in EY where the government supports the learners, and the monetary expectations are much lower, it is easier to be in Kollel than to fight the tide, leave Kollel (with all of the issues with the Army that come along with that choice) and then find a job in a society that doesn’t want to employ Charaidim. I agree with Joseph on this one, that it is much easier to be a Yeraim Jew outside of the state of Israel.
People do it because they feel it is important and they are willing to sacrifice for Am Yisrael.
I’ve got a bridge to sell you. It’s in Alaska, only $398 million.