It's hard to imagine a system better contrived to foster dependency, enable paranoia and promote dysfunction.

While some parents may use loans and gifts to foster dependency among their children, others worry about creating it.

Dr. Bernstein argued that the welfare system's major failing is fostering continued dependency for people receiving aid, instead of guiding them off the welfare rolls to independence.

The care programme approach was seen to foster dependency in two ways, on the part of clients and on the part of staff.

"Just as welfare has fostered dependency among the poor, programs like Social Security and Medicare have fostered dependency among the middle class."

This approach can foster dependency and feelings of incompetence on the part of the parents.

She considers it demeaning, and thinks it fosters dependency and is riddled with fraud.

Other critics say the system has fostered dependency among some veterans who could work.

In making friends she was ever wary of people who foster dependency and feed on it.

The old welfare system fostered dependency.