my son has been in Kollel many years now
neither myself nor the Kallahs parents, nor the government have “picked up the tab”
they are struggling, supporting themselves as they can, and loving every minute of it.
i know quite a few in a similar situation
some of them get Tzedakkah from brothers, sisters, parents, when they can.
but it is very popular to make wholesale destructive criticisms of the families and the “system”
i think it stems from envy, and perhaps some guilt, but im not sure.