For Millennial Women, Are Dogs and Cats a Stand-In for Kids?
Seventy percent of child-free women view their pet as their child.
Posted August 24, 2021 | Reviewed by Ekua Hagan
KEY POINTS
Source: Image by Bill Young, licensed CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
When the COVID-19 pandemic set in, there were many who predicted that the lockdowns and restrictions on movement that cause couples to spend more time together would end up fueling a baby boom. However, exactly the opposite has occurred. Data published by the CDC show that birth rates in the U.S. reached a record low in 2020. Specifically there was a 4% decline in the number of U.S. births from the previous year. Birth rates have been declining in recent times; however this figure is double the average yearly decline since 2014 and represents the lowest number of births since 1979.
To explore this phenomenon, Honest Paws released data from a survey which focused on 400 millennial women (born between 1981 and 1996) who have expressed the fact that they don't plan on having kids (neither biologically nor through adoption). Their goal was to understand why these women are opting out of motherhood. These new data also show that for many of these women, pets may be serving as a stand-in for children.
Why Millennial Women Don't Want Children
Of the women surveyed, 42% who don't plan to have children say that the COVID-19 pandemic influenced their decision, but it also became quite clear that there were other, long-term issues which influenced their decision.
The sense of the researchers was that these millennials lived through the 2008 recession, and many have struggled financially under the rising costs of living, the scarcity of good-paying jobs, and for some, the weight of crippling student loan debts. In addition to this, they now have to experience the economic strain brought on by the pandemic. All of this probably accounts for the fact that 43% of them state that it is simply too expensive to raise a child.
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Other Pathways to a Happy Life
The survey results show that millennial women who have decided to live a child-free lifestyle are trying to create a fulfilling life in a multitude of other ways.
Furthermore, a third of the respondents (33%) say that caring for pets is more rewarding to them than the idea of raising a child.
The Role of Pets in the Childless Millennial Lifestyle
In this survey, 70% of the women who have chosen not to have children view their dog or cat as their child. However, the door still seems to be open toward eventually having children, since 66% view caring for their pet as practice for one day having a child if they were ever to change their mind.
These millennials are willing to make sacrifices for their pets in the same way that families with children do for their kids. Fifty-three percent say that they made a home purchase or rental decision based on whether there was enough outdoor space for their pet. In addition, 41% say that they have opened up lines of credit or taken out loans to cover their animal's medical expenses. And then there are the casual costs, such as the fact that 51% of the respondents have bought clothing for their pet in the past and 48% have celebrated their pet's birthday and/or purchased Christmas presents for their dog or cat.
This new survey, combined with the decreasing national birth trends, seems to show that more people, especially millennial women, have redefined what it means to have a good and gratifying life. The American dream of marriage, two children, and a house with a white picket fence is no longer the universal goal. For many, motherhood is not a necessary condition for a happy life. Instead of children, these women think that a family can be made up of individuals with whom they share a loving bond, whether that is a romantic partner, or perhaps a furry, four-pawed companion.
Copyright SC Psychological Enterprises Ltd.
For Millennial Women, Are Dogs and Cats a Stand-In for Kids?
Seventy percent of child-free women view their pet as their child.
Posted August 24, 2021 | Reviewed by Ekua Hagan
KEY POINTS
- 42% of millennial women who don't plan to have children say that the COVID-19 pandemic influenced their decision not to have kids.
- 72% of childless millennial women explicitly state that they prefer the company of their pet over the company of children.
- 69% of millennial women who have chosen not to become a mother say that having a pet is easier than having a child.
Source: Image by Bill Young, licensed CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
When the COVID-19 pandemic set in, there were many who predicted that the lockdowns and restrictions on movement that cause couples to spend more time together would end up fueling a baby boom. However, exactly the opposite has occurred. Data published by the CDC show that birth rates in the U.S. reached a record low in 2020. Specifically there was a 4% decline in the number of U.S. births from the previous year. Birth rates have been declining in recent times; however this figure is double the average yearly decline since 2014 and represents the lowest number of births since 1979.
To explore this phenomenon, Honest Paws released data from a survey which focused on 400 millennial women (born between 1981 and 1996) who have expressed the fact that they don't plan on having kids (neither biologically nor through adoption). Their goal was to understand why these women are opting out of motherhood. These new data also show that for many of these women, pets may be serving as a stand-in for children.
Why Millennial Women Don't Want Children
Of the women surveyed, 42% who don't plan to have children say that the COVID-19 pandemic influenced their decision, but it also became quite clear that there were other, long-term issues which influenced their decision.
- 49% of these women believe people with children are more stressed than people without children.
- 41% say they don't want to raise a child in the world's current conditions.
- 42% don't feel there are enough programs and resources available (such as affordable healthcare and childcare) to help parents raise a child.
- 38% feel that raising a child requires too much energy and time.
- 33% feel that raising a child would infringe on their freedom.
- 32% say that they are prioritizing their career or education.
The sense of the researchers was that these millennials lived through the 2008 recession, and many have struggled financially under the rising costs of living, the scarcity of good-paying jobs, and for some, the weight of crippling student loan debts. In addition to this, they now have to experience the economic strain brought on by the pandemic. All of this probably accounts for the fact that 43% of them state that it is simply too expensive to raise a child.
article continues after advertisement
Other Pathways to a Happy Life
The survey results show that millennial women who have decided to live a child-free lifestyle are trying to create a fulfilling life in a multitude of other ways.
- 43% are building a career or professional life.
- 43% are focusing on their life with a romantic partner.
- 41% are pursuing personal projects.
- 40% are enjoying hobbies.
Furthermore, a third of the respondents (33%) say that caring for pets is more rewarding to them than the idea of raising a child.
The Role of Pets in the Childless Millennial Lifestyle
In this survey, 70% of the women who have chosen not to have children view their dog or cat as their child. However, the door still seems to be open toward eventually having children, since 66% view caring for their pet as practice for one day having a child if they were ever to change their mind.
- 72% explicitly state that they prefer the company of their pet over the company of children.
- 69% say that having a pet is easier than having a child.
- 52% say that it is easier to find care for a pet if they need to leave their home for an extended period of time.
- 49% say that they can leave their pet at home if they need to run errands.
- 48% say that the costs for caring for a pet are lower.
- 42% say that caring for a pet is less stressful.
- 39% say that it's less time-consuming to care for a pet.
- 39% say that they have greater flexibility in their day-to-day life with a pet is compared to a child.
These millennials are willing to make sacrifices for their pets in the same way that families with children do for their kids. Fifty-three percent say that they made a home purchase or rental decision based on whether there was enough outdoor space for their pet. In addition, 41% say that they have opened up lines of credit or taken out loans to cover their animal's medical expenses. And then there are the casual costs, such as the fact that 51% of the respondents have bought clothing for their pet in the past and 48% have celebrated their pet's birthday and/or purchased Christmas presents for their dog or cat.
This new survey, combined with the decreasing national birth trends, seems to show that more people, especially millennial women, have redefined what it means to have a good and gratifying life. The American dream of marriage, two children, and a house with a white picket fence is no longer the universal goal. For many, motherhood is not a necessary condition for a happy life. Instead of children, these women think that a family can be made up of individuals with whom they share a loving bond, whether that is a romantic partner, or perhaps a furry, four-pawed companion.
Copyright SC Psychological Enterprises Ltd.
For Millennial Women, Are Dogs and Cats a Stand-In for Kids?
