Posted on 02/20/2017 7:32:15 PM PST by Morgana
According to government statistics, an increasing number of women from the millennial generation are opting out when it comes to having babies. Instead, it appears they’re finding an alternative more to their liking.
Why the trend for young couples becoming “child-free”? And what have they found to fill the void?
There’s an important distinction to be made between a “childless” couple that has no control whether or not they hear the pitter patter of little feet in their home, versus others who refer to themselves “child-free.” The latter is an intentional lifestyle choice not to have children.
There is a trend today of young adults making the choice to go child-free, substituting bottles and diapers with leashes, pet food and pooper scoopers. Yes, a growing number are choosing dogs and cats over children.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and reported by Quartz, document this is more than just a casual observation. CDC numbers show there has been a considerable decline of babies born to women between the ages of 15 and 29. It is paired with an enormous increase in ownership of small dogs among millennial women.
Jean Twenge, a psychology professor at San Diego State University said, “Pets are becoming a replacement for children.” Her research on the “the entitlement generation” has been published in a book called Generation Me.
Professor Twenge isn’t the only expert providing evidence of “puppy parenthood.” Nathan Richter with Wakefield Research explains that first-time parents prepare for their impending bundle of joy by reading books and consuming other available research. “That’s how millennials are approaching pet ownership,” he says.
Many Americans have made parenting a central focus and mission of their lives, so naturally they struggle with understanding the motivation behind willingly passing up one of life’s greatest blessings.
Sadly, a bulk of the evidence points to the narcissistic reputation of the millennial generation.
Thirty-year-old Sara Foster told the New York Post, “It’s just less work and, honestly, I have more time to go out.”
Kristen Wile, senior editor of Charlotte Magazine, penned her journey from wanting to be a stay-at-home mom by the time she was 30 to now choosing pets over babies. “They give us a greater purpose without making our lives mainly about theirs.” I was stunned by her self-centered transparency.
“Who needs children when research has shown that certain hormones that increase when we cuddle children also increase when we cuddle our pets,” read an online post on Pet Health & Safety.
Evidence of this growing trend is popping up in American society. The multiple Lucky Dog Bark & Brew locations in North Carolina provide not only a bar but also animal boarding, complete with a play area for large and small dogs. What aren’t allowed? Children.
Writing for creators.com, Dennis Prager believes that throughout civilization there had been three social realities driving the birth of children: a lack of contraception, the economic necessity for children to care for parents in old age, and religion. Prager points out that contraception has changed the way couples approach the act of sex; plus government entities like social security and welfare now care for senior citizens so children don’t have to. Finally, religion is a shadow of what it has been in the past – the one propelling force behind the values demanding children.
Couples should not feel forced or compelled to have children by those around them, just as parents with large families should be spared snide or biting remarks.
Perhaps those who have experienced the joys and blessings of children can by example, demonstrate reasons why young couples should carefully consider all their options. Just as animal lovers might show families without pets that shedding coats, marred wood floors and little piles dotting the back yard are small prices to pay for the joy animals bring.
Kitty ping
Doggie ping...
Snake ping...
What say the “Pet People” on this forum on this? Is it better they just have their pets as they would probably be terrible parents anyway? Or would they be terrible to their pets as well?
I hope they trained their pet to take care of them when they are old :)
Yeah, but it shows an unbelievable amount of narcissism on the part of young people today. At one time there were more pets in Seattle than kids. But then it is a communist city anyway, so it makes it easier to control.
And they get to vote to borrow money from other people’s children and grandchildren to spend on social(ist) programs.
They used to call this “playing house”. You wonder what kind of parents these young couples had. Sad.
I wish I could have more children.
“Prager points out that contraception has changed the way couples approach the act of sex; plus government entities like social security and welfare now care for senior citizens so children don’t have to.”
This part is true, what they don’t get is someone “being there” for you.
In the future:
Women will have small dogs.
Men will have sex robots.
Over-population will no longer be a concern.
I’m Ok with this. The less a liberal breeds, the lesser stupid people vote.
Well, one cannot tell if one can be a good or bad parent if one refuses to be one at all. And frankly, it also says nothing as to whether they will be responsible pet owners either.
“At one time there were more pets in Seattle than kids”
You know the bad part about it is...in some places the pets are more behaved than kids!!! Some stores will let pets in but not kids anymore.
Just bring in Muslims to replace the non-breeding Americans.
That’ll work out well!
Go forth and multiply!
Stop spending all that time and energy with dogs and cats.
Save our country and breed more humans!
That generation grew up on movie and television that humanized animals.
The muslims will take care of them before they get old.
Don’t worry, Trump is deporting them. So they will go back and blow themselves up in their own country. When they have no one else to kill they do it to each other.
This trend was obvious a generation ago. Now it is a demographic nuclear weapon.
My thoughts too. I guess their dog can take care of all their medical, legal, and financial needs and visit them in their nursing homes. Maybe even pick them up a hamburger and french fires on their way in...
The Millenials are really making some bad decisions and really lacking in wisdom by casting God aside. They don't realize how much they really need to read that "old outdated book" that their dumb ole grandparents hold fast to...
Anything that keeps them from reproducing is fine by me.
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