She has eight kids. I imagine she was looking for something that was stylish but also EASY to take care of. A few minutes with the blow dryer and some gel, and she'd be done (and have more time for breakfast, laundry, etc. etc. etc. etc.). Sometimes practicality wins over everything else.
When I was in High School too many years ago I had a haircut kinda similar to this!! It was longer on one side and then short on the other and the short side was spiked............I call it my "PUNK" stage!! Maybe she's gone PUNK!!