The thing to know is, the average lifespan of an outdoor cat is very low. Something like a year or two. Obcviously there are exceptions, but the averages are bad.
Some cats are only happy outside and might prefer the tradeoff. But it would be cruel to force an indoor cat who doesn’t want to go out to change to outdoor life.
He is exactly right Joe. As my vet said to me “outdoor cats live short violent lives”.
I would tend to disagree on the lifespan argument. I had an outside cat for 18 years. He was tough, but also he was raised as a kitten to go outdoors. Maybe that makes all the difference.