In western industrial cultures the needs of infants are competing less and less successfully with other claims on mothers. There is little appreciation for the value of consistent nurturing in our society. The fact that day-care workers are usually paid minimum wage means that mothers and children are devalued by our culture. Mothers are unlikely to feel good about themselves, and the psychological need for self-esteem may be one pressure pushing women into the work force.
Materialism is another malignant force in our society.
Many people feel a social pressure to conform to the lifestyle of the two-income family. Money is often a higher priority than caring for babies, even when need is not an issue. Children are more and more being seen as material possessions. They are part of a lifestyle, but they are not always important enough to cause a change in lifestyle.