I have not had real full time employment since the economy tanked (over 2.5 years). I do a lot of parenting and housework. B”H my wife makes enough to pay the bills. But I can’t find a job that will (if I can find one to begin with). It can be demoralizing. I sometimes feel why should I try – she will still need to work and the kids and house will get neglected.
Please understand that your friends husband may have that feeling of despondency/yiyush. I keep trying, but his situation is even more deep and may be too much for him to get out of the yiyush. Bigger family – which means bigger bills- and more time unemployed.
It sounds to me that he needs some counseling, and his wife needs to give him encouragement for whatever he does inside and outside.