More and more people are opting to own pets instead of having kids ...
Anyone have opinions on why this is happening?
If my nurturing instincts were not fully satisfied with looking after my one child, I would have another child rather than an animal.
I sometimes think in modern countries that people choose to have pets instead of animals, because as a dog owning neighbour and mother of one child told me, ''it is easier to have a dog in Germany, than it is to have a child''. I dont have any pets, but I tend to agree with this neighbour, because people here in Germany tend to have very little tolerance, let alone affection for normal childish behaviour. This causes many parents to be feel isolated, which I think is hardest on mothers, but probably not something that fathers feel good about either.
Reply to this Probably a lifestyle convenience factor in there too. It's easier to put a dog in a kennel than to find a long term babysitter, if the parent(s) want to go away on their own.
Pets would be cheaper too.
Marriage tends to happen later in life these days, sometimes it could just be too late for some people to have kids.
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Probably a lifestyle convenience factor in there too. It's easier to put a dog in a kennel than to find a long term babysitter, if the parent(s) want to go away on their own.
But, why have pets or children at all? People without either have way more freedom.
Pets would be cheaper too.
and people without either can spend all their money on themselves.
Reply to this Pets are a way for those who want to nuture something, but for whatever reason can't/don't have kids.
It's not always about spending money on themselves - sometimes people decide they don't have the financial means to support kids.
Reply to this I think affording to have children is a bit like affording to travel. It seems like a huge expense, but there is almost always a way to make it affordable.
Reply to this Actually....pets are not always cheaper. Studies have shown that it could very well be more expensive to raise a pet than to raise a person. A trip to the vet could cost $300+ Canadian whereas health care in Canada is supported by the government. And children would have the ability to earn a living, but pets wouldn't.
Don't get me wrong though, I love children. Don't have any yet, but do plan to have kids in the future. But I'm also an animal lover ...just sparking up some interesting conversations.
Reply to this Well, having raised a small child and two dogs from puppies in the same time, I would say kids were the far easier option. I never had to follow my son around to make sure he wasn't chewing the furniture!
Although, you can't leave a child locked in the laundry room with a bone to occupy it for an hour while you pop to the shops, so it's swings and roundabouts really 😉
In all seriousness though, I have notied that many people seem to care more for animals than children. I know far more people who donate money to animal charities than to childrens charities.
The price of pet healthcare is astronomical as well. Even the cost of pet insurance costs more than we pay for my sons private healthcare insurance.
Reply to this I didnt even know that there is pet insurance. Is it medical insurance? I thought you just take them to the vet when there is a serious problem now and again and pay 40 Euros or something.
Reply to this In the UK, I am pretty sure that pet insurance is standard for most people.
It is only really used for if the animal needs an operation, or for long trm medication etc. We can't/don't claim just for a trip to the vet for a check up, just if they have a problem which needs medical intervention.
It's a good back up to have, if my dog were run over tommorow and needed life saving surgery the insurance would cover it. With no insurance, I would be looking at a vet bill of thousands of pounds and would have to have the dog put to sleep instead.
Reply to this I think we pay £15 per month each dog and £10 per month for our cat.
Reply to this More and more people are opting to own pets instead of having kids
Is this even true? Where are the statistics??!
Reply to this Yeah, the statistics would be interesting to see. But, the results would probably vary from country to country.
I heard on the news yesterday that Germany had the fewest babies born last year per person than all the other European countries. I think, this has to do with Germany not being a child friendly country. I also read another report done on all EU countires, that said that Germany is the most difficult country to be a parent in. Sweden was second most difficult. Maybe these countries have a higher percentage of people who would prefer to have pets to babies.
Has anyone read any other reports or information that could indicate a preference for having pets to children in the various countries?
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