There's a subtle difference between wanting to work and being expected to, even when you have kids. Even during WW2, mothers of school-age children (certainly under 12) were exempt from having to do war work (though many did voluntary work of some kind during the school day). Now, though, the government is bleating about getting married mothers back to work... with someone else paid to look after the kids. 'Course, that means the Exchequer pulls in more from PAYE...