I could maybe understand if they were starting a business - since they can take a lot of time and effort to get off the ground. Of course that comes with the assumption that eventually they can stop spending so much time.

I've started thinking that "workaholism" is just a societally approved method of avoidance. Most self-described workaholics I've met are men who seem to dislike their wives and children. Working all the time lets them "provide for the family" while never actually being there for them.

Edit: I feel like I should point out that sometimes people do actually need to work so much to provide for their family - those aren't the people I'm talking about.