I disagree - long maternity leave would encourage women to stay in the work force, and I strongly support this. I think, from seeing things first hand, we need 1 year maternity leaves to do things properly. Making women choose between raising/having children and going to work is no choice at all.

Not to mention, good old social pressure.

I grew up in a suburb at the tail end of that era. In my view there were some other factors as well:

1. Raising a family on a single income was fathomable.

2. Things like day care centers and summer day camps weren't as prevalent.