Dogs have been man’s best friend for centuries. In recent decades, those furry friends have transitioned into “fur babies,” with many people opting for dog ownership over traditional parenthood. But what does choosing dogs over children say about our society and the way we think about family?
In a study published in European Psychologist, a research team from Eötvös Loránd University suggests that declining global birth rates and increasing dog ownership are related. Although dogs cannot replace children, they can effectively offer people the chance to fulfill the parenting urge without the financial and social demands associated with human offspring.
“Among many factors, the relatively short lifespan of dogs might contribute to it, as most people expect to outlive their dog, but not their child,” said Laura Gillet, Ph.D. student at the Department of Ethology, in a press release. “Not only individual decisions, but also sociocultural context are crucial to ...
