The thing that I don’t get from the Western culture is what is the point of parenting? Both parents work and they immediately unload their baby to a day care. I was shocked to learn that 9 month babies are sent to day-cares.
Is paying the bills for a human you barely see called parenting?
Even with both parents working full time jobs the child spends more time with their parents than any other adult. They definitely get vastly more, and more focused one on one time as well. This is not “barely see” by any measure.
> The thing that I don’t get from the Western culture is what is the point of parenting?
Childcare in US is particularly shocking to any non-American, but it's a natural result of the rugged sort of capitalism combined with a threadbare social safety net.
> I was shocked to learn that 9 month babies are sent to day-cares.
9 months is actually on the older side, in the US. Daycares frequently enroll infants younger than a month. Maternity leave is ridiculously short in the US (IIRC, 3-weeks is mandated by the law, this includes pre- & post-partum). Some companies have started to go above and beyond, and even dropping the non-birthing parter a bone by giving them a few days :). Additionally, I don't think any person taking maternity leave is entitled to their full salary, and beyond 3 weeks, they are entitled to $0, which combined with at-will employment means you have to be get back to work ASAP. Childbirth itself is a very expensive endeavor - thousands of dollars for a vaginal birth with no complications, and tens of thousands for a cesarean.
Is paying the bills for a human you barely see called parenting?