If you are the owner of a pet, you likely view them as a family member.
Over 70 percent of Americans in their 30s owndogs, while 50 percent own cats.
It is no secret that pet parenthood is popular, but why are millennials choosing pets over kids?
The answer is deeper than simply favoring a furry companion over a human one in most cases.
The issue is the current economic environment makes having children difficult for most millennials.
Whether it’s paying off student loans or the inability to find affordable housing, money is tight.
It’s more affordable to have a furry friend than a human child.
In some cases, pets are used as “starter children” (viaPeople).
It’s a personal preference.
Recently,Pope Francisweighed in on the debate over pet parenthood and it has Twitter divided.
The head of the Catholic Church reportedly called those who choose pets over babies, selfish.
In a report made byFox News, Pope Francis said, “Today we see a form of selfishness.
We see that some people do not want to have a child.
Of course, Twitter had opinions on this comment.
A parent themselves had a hard time with this commentary as well,writing, “Wow.
However, some users were on his side.
Onewrote, “The Pope isn’t saying ‘you must have children!’
He’s saying that pets are not children and it’s a damaging mindset to treat them as such.
People who treat pets like children are devaluing the dignity of humanity.”
