[Norski]

Taking this even further, many people are choosing to not have children, but instead “adopting” (instead of purchasing or receiving) an animal, and pretending that the animal is their child or children, calling them their “children” or “furbabies” and being the animal’s “mommy” or “daddy”.

And then there are the “furries”. The “Eww factor” is strong with that one.

[HighSierra5]

Yup. You got it.

[T-Bone Texan]

"...people are choosing to not have children, but instead “adopting” (instead of purchasing or receiving) an animal, and pretending that the animal is their child or children, calling them their “children” or “furbabies”..."

What you describe is mentall illness.

A few of my wife's friends do this, and she gives them a pass or even frames it as cute.

I say "No, that is evidence of metal illness. Your friend is mentally ill."