Do you notice something different about your peers? Are they really into pets these days? If so, maybe you’re wondering, huh, what’s up with that?
Well, it’s no coincidence!
Seven out of ten millennials have pets, with 61% owning dogs and the 39% having cats. (Of course, this statistic does not mention other domesticated pets.)
What’s more, millennials are treating their pets like babies instead of having, you know, actual babies.
But why do so many people want to be child-free? Why do they prefer becoming a pet parent instead of having kids? Let’s take a closer look at what’s happening.
Relatively Lower Costs
Everything is so much more expensive these days.
There’s no one sole cause for the rampant inflation in the Philippines, but that’s an entirely different discussion for another article altogether.
Still, if you take the time to sit down and calculate the costs, you’ll find out that having a pet is wayyyy more affordable than raising a kid.
Remember, being a parent does not stop when the child reaches a certain age. Instead, when you become a parent, you’re responsible for them for life. And that is a huge responsibility to bear.
Aside from providing their basic needs (and then some), you also have to ensure that your kids become upstanding and moral citizens of the world.
It can also be difficult to balance your personal and professional life when you have kids around, even (and especially) if you work from home.
As a pet parent, you might splurge on a couple of items and accessories for your fur baby. There are also regular visits to the vet’s office, but it is nothing comparable to doing the same for a kid.
Can you imagine the cost of sending your kid to a good school until college? How about doctor’s appointments for when they get sick?
For most millennials, raising a family is simply not financially feasible.
More Emphasis on Financial Independence
This is in connection with the previous point.
If you are a remote worker, chances are you have attended various seminars and classes on how to be financially literate.
Gone are the days when informed workers allow the cycle of poverty to repeat itself. Many millennials would want to be educated on how they can gain financial independence.
However (as sad as this may seem), that may not be possible if they are to raise their children.
Kids require too much attention and resources if they are to be properly taken care of.
As a parent, your priorities change. No longer would you care about your wants and sometimes even your needs because your child has to come first.
But this wouldn’t happen if you are a pet parent. As long as you give your canines and felines food, exercise, and the appropriate amount of attention, they are good to go.
Pets Grant You More Freedom
Last but not least, being a pet parent simply gives you more freedom.
Dogs and cats do not need you 24/7. While some breeds require more attention than others, certain breeds are also low-maintenance. These types of pets are okay with you being out and about for hours on end.
Of course, when you are working remotely, you are stuck inside the house most of the time. Thus, pets provide a ton of benefits as well as an effective way to combat your loneliness when you work from home.
In comparison, if you have a newborn baby, you are stuck with them every day, all day. You cannot leave your baby alone as they can’t look after themselves.
Not to mention, it is considered abuse to leave your baby unattended.
And should you wish to hire a babysitter, that’s another expense.
The Fur Baby Boom
It’s somehow understandable why many millennials are choosing pets over babies. (Like, seriously, raising a kid? In this economy?)
Of course, this is also not to discredit the idea of building a family. Surely, it is still a dream for many.
Regardless, you need to do what you think is right for you after considering your choices, preferences, and lifestyle.
On that note, if you are one of the millennials who prefer to do things at their own pace, check out Remote Staff’s job listings. It is regularly updated, so you might find something that suits your qualifications.
Remote Staff has also been around for 15 years now and has been a pioneer in the remote staffing industry. The company has also given work-from-home opportunities to countless Filipino remote workers.
Want to join the team? Register today!
