You make a good point, but it can be tempered very slightly by noting that having a later job of sufficient quality will whitewash the issue. In other words, if one takes a long break, then gets a decent job but wants a better one, one's current job of sufficient tenure (probably greater than 18 mth) should prevent too much questioning about the break - assuming that the current job is sufficient professional (i.e. engineer or paralegal OK, barista at Starbucks NO).

But as you say, getting the first job of sufficient quality will be a giant headache.