--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That hidden economy, which still exists…" description: "\"“That hidden economy, which still exists today, is one of love. There is self-interest, certainly, in all of these women's endeavors; for their trouble..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f16/kate-harding-252256_little-hands_that-hidden-economy-which-still-exists-t_2949592.jpg" --- # That hidden economy, which still exists today, is one of… ![“That hidden economy, which still exists today, is one of love. There is self-interest, certainly, in all of these women's endeavors; for their trouble, they get shelter and food. But you don't do any of that - the mind-numbing care of small children, the endless repetition of cooking and laundry…” quote by Kate Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f16/kate-harding-252256_little-hands_that-hidden-economy-which-still-exists-t_2949592.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f16/kate-harding-252256_little-hands_that-hidden-economy-which-still-exists-t_2949592.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f16/kate-harding-252256_little-hands_that-hidden-economy-which-still-exists-t_2949592.jpg) > ““That hidden economy, which still exists today, is one of love. There is self-interest, certainly, in all of these women's endeavors; for their trouble, they get shelter and food. But you don't do any of that - the mind-numbing care of small children, the endless repetition of cooking and laundry, the indignity of having a mind as fine as any man's and no opportunity to exercise it - without love. Either love for the owners of the dirty underwear and the sticky little hands, or love for people whose survival depends on the pittance you make for doing it. Almost three hundred years after Dam Smith was born, women still dominate the "caring professions" - teaching, nursing, social work - and are scarce in positions of financial or political power. Married women who work full-time still do substantially more cleaning, food preparation, and child-engagement tasks than their male partners. And when professional women's work becomes too time consuming, the care of children and the household isn't shared more equally with male partners, but outsourced to other women, frequently poor women of color. It is men who are raised to participate in a strict economy of self-interest. Most women could never afford that.”” Kate Harding ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Women’s unpaid care work is driven by love yet undervalued, reflecting systemic gender inequity and hidden economies. **In simple terms:** Love fuels hidden, unpaid work. Key Takeaway Acknowledge and value care labor. Themes gender care work inequality Mood concerned thoughtful Type analytical critical When to use this quote - policy reform - workplace equity - public awareness - education campaigns Key Concepts hidden economy social justice Questions to Reflect On - How can societies recognize care work? - What policies support equitable labor division? A Different Perspective Changing deep‑rooted norms is challenging. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Love For People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-for-people/) [Married women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/married-women/) [Political power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political-power/) [Social work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-work/) ## Related quotes > [There is a part of 'Wonder Woman' inside me and inside every woman, kind of that secret self that women share. We are all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynda-carter/there-is-a-part-of-wonder-woman-inside-me-and-inside-every-woman-kind/) [Lynda Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynda-carter/) > [“Let me leave you with a positive thought. 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