Daycare or No Daycare?

Why is it that daycare is now the norm? I know that often times it is necessary for families to have two incomes but for those that can afford to have a parent a home with the kids, they often get criticized for not having their kids in daycare. I was an at home mom for four years from the time my son was born until my daughter was 18 months old, and believe I got my fair share of criticism, mostly form other mothers. I had to go to work when my ex and I broke up and I agree that it is good for my kids to go to daycare a couple days a week but at one point the daycare saw more of my kids than I did and it just rubs me the wrong way. Not to mention it seems there is an explosion of bratty kids that has erupted in recent years, does this have anything to do with the increase in daycare usage? Personally I would rather be poor than to have others raising my kids, we have so little time before they are grown. But naturally, kids need time with other kids. I would love to hear others thoughts on this, please discuss;)