Mothering has always been a demanding job, but one that does not command pay, benefits, security, retirement, the things that other workers take for granted.
All mothers are dependent.
If you do mothering, that work is done without compensation. Nowadays mothers get no guarantee either from their men, the legal system, and now, not even welfare. And for a mother to depend on the marketplace is risky and dangerous to the health and well-being of herself and her children. Since children are no longer considered an economic asset, as potential contributors to the economic well-being of the household as they once were, to commit oneself to mothering is to commit oneself to an activity which has become a luxury. As luxuries, mothers and children can be, and often are, disposed of when the going gets rough.