Single parents of little means are put in desperate situations. Cant lose job. Babysitter calls in sick. Or quits. Employer not real flexible. Its a horrible position to be in.
You're right. Sometimes people don't have lot of options.
Funny, after I posted my comment, I remembered a single event over 20 years ago when I was about the same age and I was asked to babysit an infant girl. Her dad was a close childhood friend of mine and they really needed someone quick for a couple of hours.
No big deal. It only becomes a big deal when the babysitter turns out to be a pervert.