Well there may be some who enjoy it as well as getting paid, but getting paid inevitably leads to a mercenary attitude so I know what you are saying.
But girls who just play games on their tablets all day are similarly subject to the brains atrophying as you put it. They should do more like paint or play music but the incentives if we have interpreted that conversation correctly occupy their mindset.
But not all women are so keen on self-improvement unless it helps their careers. Very few have the wide range of interests of Leora.
IMO Barcelona has never been real life not even back in the days of Kamila and Kristy.