Why are so many child free women not pet free? It doesn’t make sense to not want kids but want pets instead.

ashpr0ulx · 2023-05-03T07:53:22+00:00

big difference between tending to a cat that sleeps all day and raising a good, kind human who can function and be productive in society

FightMeCthullu · 2023-05-03T08:22:50+00:00

Several reasons!

Cost. Pets are far less pricey than kids.
Time. For the first 16ish years of a child’s life, they are fairly dependent on you for most things, when they get a car I assume some of the time sink goes down but definitely in early childhood it’s a constant thing. Many pets do require a lot of time but not nearly as much as a child would.
I don’t want to be pregnant.
most importantly…I’d be a bad mother to a human. I’m a good babysitter, a fantastic aunt, but I do not have the patience to be a mother. I don’t want to fuck up a bunch of humans by trying.

I love pets. My dog is my favourite companion. She and I get each other and I joke that I’m her mum constantly…..but she requires nowhere near the same amount of time, energy, money, and effort that a child would.

I have enough for an animal. A human? God no. And it would be foolish of me to try.

nonplussedminus · 2023-05-03T08:17:31+00:00

A pet is way cheaper and easier to take care off than a child. There's also less pressure because your pet probably won't grow up to be fuckup like a child can. What is this question?

Novadina · 2023-05-03T08:38:33+00:00

Huh? A pet isn’t a kid. Pets are way easier, cheaper, and less consequences if you fail. Not to mention you don’t have to be pregnant and give birth to have pets! Pet’s also aren’t going to inherit your genetic or mental illnesses.

Babies can’t even walk on their own, you can’t do anything with them but you can’t leave them alone, I don’t have to carry my dogs around and I can leave them home if I need to do something without dogs.

notmyrealnamepapi · 2023-05-03T09:24:10+00:00

Because they are 2 different things, lol.

They don't cost as much as children. They don't live as long as children. They don't need 24/4 attention like children. They don't cry like children. You don't have to wake up for them at night. Etc

And you probably don't see both because having a child is so much (more) work. So they don't have time for an animal

87AudreyHorne · 2023-05-03T08:33:39+00:00

I really like animals, always wanted dogs but I love cats too.. I just love them.

I never cared for kids. I hated kids when I was a kid. I'm at best at "distant tolerance" as an adult. I have no maternal instincts or desires, when I see a baby or a child, I don't feel any urge to care for it. When I see an animal I do have an urge to connect.

PLUS: having pets isn't that hard, especially for a woman. I don't want to be pregnant or give birth. I don't want to play a roulette with what kind of person I'll get for a kid. I don't want to deal with the countless chores and boredom that come with that life whereas animals give their owners tons of free and chilled time. With a child you need to be constantly involved from feeding, dressing, carrying, to later school stuff, emotional states, what they're doing... and being a parent isn't a cool role, you're pretty much in service of a child. I'd rather pick up dog's poo than deal with a disrespectful teen

I can have drinks and do what I want around my pet. With a kid, everything needs to be adjusted to them.

Blondefairy25 · 2023-05-03T10:21:38+00:00

Pets are way less high maintenance and complex than raising a human child.

Zestyclose_Truth9999 · 2023-05-03T08:41:05+00:00

The reason why people don’t want kids is they are expensive and time consuming

And loud, annoying, attention-seeking... etc.

I'm on the fence about having kids, but choosing whether or not to get a cute, furry, loving animal is a no-brainer.

You also don't have to dedicate 18 years of effort (and a shit ton of money) to raising a dog and live with the chance that if you're crap at the job, it may turn out to be a bully, a school shooter, or the next Hitler.

Parenting isn't a decision anyone should be taking lightly, and the people that tap out of the responsibilities of breeding in order to have pets are far cleverer than the idiots with too many/badly socialised kids.

neverendingplush · 2023-05-03T10:35:36+00:00

The fact that u need to ask this question makes me wonder if u should even be allowed to have children. There's no way u see things this black and white.

Capable-Resolve-2001 · 2023-05-03T10:46:03+00:00

My wife has two frogs. She spends less than 30 minutes a day caring for them.

Pets are not kids.

Lol just lol at this sub sometimes.

BreezyBritt89 · 2023-05-03T08:00:37+00:00

I’m Childfree and also petfree. (I’ve had roommates with cats/dogs but never had one of my own in idk 10 years?) I feel the same way about them that I do children. I don’t hate them,would never hurt one but also don’t want to live with one full time. An extra mouth is an extra mouth. A loud noise is a loud noise (barking/crying).I don’t mind dog-sitting for my in-laws Great Dane,he’s pretty chill. I also don’t have to pay for the fuckton of food he eats lol

When I was a kid I saw my dad get a huge bill for our dog’s treatment for a snake bite and I think it kinda stuck with me.

januaryphilosopher · 2023-05-03T08:55:47+00:00

Pets are way less work and responsibility, and of course relationships between humans and different animals (including other humans) are going to be different. Some people only like one type of dependent relationship. I don't see you asking people with children but no pets what the logic is.

Jambi1913 · 2023-05-03T09:27:43+00:00

How can you possibly think being childfree is the same as petfree? That’s not logical at all.

The toll a child takes on your body and life is far, far higher - not to mention the responsibility of raising a human being who will hopefully live 80+ years in as little pain and turmoil as you can possibly help and (hopefully) positively affect the lives of many over that time period.

I love animals (I work with them) and cannot imagine not having at least one pet in my home at all times - but I do not think they are truly equivalent to children. As deeply as I love them, they are a fraction of the burden and responsibility of a child. It’s very understandable to be childfree but still have pets.

-Shes-A-Carnival · 2023-05-03T10:11:07+00:00

I didnt have to be pregnant with and give birth to my pets, for one. the male blindness to pregnancy continues to be hilarious. just because I don't have any interest in human children doesnt mean I don't want to love and care for things. pets scratch the "love and care for living things" itch without the atrocious burden of pregnancy and child rearing

thelajestic · 2023-05-03T11:49:12+00:00

The reason why people don’t want kids is they are expensive and time consuming

This isn't the only reason people don't want kids.

You don't need to birth your pet yourself, so it comes with no risks to your health or body
You don't have to quit your job, take a massive leave of absence from your career, or alternatively pay thousands in childcare each year for a pet.
If you start with a baby pet (puppy/kitten etc) you have a few years of additional commitment in training them but once that's done they're pretty much formed. Kids take nearly 20 years of guiding and supporting to help form them into functional adults.

There are many, many other reasons why a pet and a child aren't the same but these are probably the main ones that stick out to me.

EulenWatcher · 2023-05-03T13:33:42+00:00

Pets require far less time and energy and you also don’t have to tear your own vagina and destroy your body in the process to get one.

Pets don’t require you to become their 24/7 care-provider for the first few years.

You don’t have to pay for their university.

Pets improve your quality of life faster than kids do.

AstronautLoveShack · 2023-05-03T14:15:33+00:00

I’ve had both. Cats are much easier than dogs and dogs are much easier than human children. And the ramifications if you screw it up are more tolerable - a dog might chew up your shoes, a human might end up in prison or an institution. Or dead.

PortoGuy18 · 2023-05-03T09:24:25+00:00

Pets aren't kids and kids aren't pets.

jellyroll8 · 2023-05-03T13:26:35+00:00

having a pet scratches the itch of wanting a child (its a cute thing that's dependent on you) without the responsibility of an actual child

fiftypoundpuppy · 2023-05-03T16:52:55+00:00

Believe it or not, the reason why people don't want kids is because they don't fucking want kids.

In a perfect world where everything was free and a nanny raised them I still wouldn't want kids.

keepin2002 · 2023-05-03T08:20:49+00:00

Children are 18 years of commitment unlike pets

Glowupgirl111 · 2023-05-03T10:41:50+00:00

Because animals and babies are different.

YaKnowEstacado · 2023-05-03T13:57:31+00:00

I have both, but it's not hard for me to understand why someone would want pets and not kids. Pets are fun and cute and silly, and they give you an outlet for nurturing and caring for something but with much less responsibility.

First of all, you don't have to carry your pets in your body for nine months and then give birth to them and live the rest of your life in a body that was affected by that process.

You can have pets as a single person without issue. Of course you can be a single mom too, but many women don't want to, and most want to find a suitable partner before having kids. There's no such barrier to entry for pet ownership.

Pets require some work, but it's about 1/1000 the work of having a kid. I've never had to get up every two hours with my cat. I don't have a whole set of dishes to do and sticky spots to clean up every time my dog eats dinner. Scooping up poop from the yard and cleaning out the litter box once a day is much quicker and easier than the process of changing a diaper several times a day.

Pets are lower maintenance and less demanding on your life and time. When I worked outside the home I didn't have to put my pets in daycare (I guess some people do this, but I don't). When I go out of town, I just have a friend stop by once or twice a day to feed my pets and let the dog out. You can't do this with a kid.

And then there's all the other demands of raising a child -- caring for their emotional well-being, their ever-changing nutritional needs, saving for college, making sure you live in a good school district, making sure they're socializing enough and with the right people, making sure you're imparting the right values, dealing with their toddler meltdowns and teenage rebellion, trying not to do anything that's going to fuck them up and traumatize them. Raising a child is much, much more emotionally and psychologically taxing, and no matter how you do it there's a chorus of voices telling you you're doing it wrong. The highs are higher with a kid, but the lows have a potential to be much lower. Life-ruiningly lower.

neetykeeno · 2023-05-03T12:37:13+00:00

As someone who has had both cats and kids...

Child. Your child did not bring three serves of fruit and veg in her lunchbox today. She only brought two. No, an extra large apple does not count as two serves You need to do better. This is unacceptable. Do you want your child to end up unhealthy? Is that what you want?

Cat. Oh that's Fluffy. She likes to hide on top of the fridge and scratch people who try to befriend her. All your friends try to befriend Fluffy. Some get scratched. No-one blames Fluffy. No one blames you.

anjovis150 · 2023-05-03T08:49:41+00:00

It's not really comparable. Though I think at least for some pets function as a substitute for kids. It's always a telling sign when someone calls their pets their baby and is constantly humanizing them.

itsdolcekay · 2023-05-03T10:00:17+00:00

Having a child makes you a target as a woman. The post is very tone deaf. Do you not understand women are being charged for murder for having miscarriages and forced to give birth to unviable fetuses only to watch their babies die says or even weeks later

TermAggravating8043 · 2023-05-03T10:40:01+00:00

Pets are about the 10th of the workload compared to children, also you can leave pets at home for hours at a time, you can’t do that with kids.

Pets are the ideal for a lot of women as they appeal to the caring nature but not enough to trap them

Mandy_M87 · 2023-05-03T14:06:59+00:00

Pets are less work and far less expensive than children.

BoxOfBoxedUpBoxes · 2023-05-03T15:59:20+00:00

I’ve seen this question get asked elsewhere before and it’s a bit baffling even as someone who’d prefer to be free of both.

Pets are a responsibility sure, but a very simple one comparatively speaking. Teaching them rarely extends beyond basics like “don’t piss on the carpet”, “don’t scratch up the furniture”, and “don’t hump Aunt Sally’s leg at dinner time”. Socializing them is generally just an extension of the above only with other animals, and even then, it’s not always necessary depending on the pet. You have to feed them, but that’s like once or twice a day with the same food. I could go on.

Child rearing on the other hand is a FAR more involved a responsibility because we collectively agree that the above doesn’t cut it when raising what should eventually be another member of society. Kids need to be taught more complex things like how to read/write/speak human language, how to walk upright without toppling over, how to operate various plumbing devices in order to clean and relieve themselves - things that either don’t apply to pets or are taken care of by their owners. Socializing a kid is almost always necessary for their success in school, and it’s basically an ongoing process as they progress different age groups. Beyond “not biting and growling at others,” parents generally need to make sure their kids understand concepts like “share with others,” “show gratitude” and “apologize when you e wronged someone” - all of which require engaging a child beyond their animal understanding of things. Feeding them generally involves more food than just a few scoops of kibble twice a day, and much more consideration needs to be taken regarding WHAT foods to give to avoid things like sugar addiction, obesity, allergies, and so on.

I think the most glaring difference in level of responsibility is in how we treat their serious injuries/illness. Sure, vets exist, and the bills get pricy, but if you seriously cannot afford to treat a pet, or no adequate treatment is available, you can always have it put down. Not ideal in the slightest, but it’s a legitimate option. For kids? You’re trying every option no matter how grueling or expensive.

mwb111300 · 2023-05-03T15:59:53+00:00

It makes complete sense to want a pet but not a kid. It makes zero sense to want to have a kid in todays world.

gofigure62 · 2023-05-03T18:27:29+00:00

No one is going to call CPS if you're not home for a few days and or leave your pet at a kennel while you go on vacation.

Pets aren't children. They can be left alone for hours on end without any legal consequences.

Hell even if someone neglected or abused their pet (intentionally or unintentionally) there is little legal consequences for that.

Pets are cheaper, pets aren't going to claim that you're ruining their lives or were a bad parent. Pets don't require college tuition, rent money, or other human living expenses. Pets don't need to be raised to be functioning adults in a human society.

Pets aren't comparable to human children at all. A living thing being an obligation doesn't magically make it comparable to a child.

nicoleberry16 · 2023-05-04T02:01:10+00:00

Cats or dogs are ALWAYS > kids

Kids are expensive af, draining, annoying, and the world already has enough.

LiftSushiDallas · 2023-05-04T02:18:28+00:00

I am childfree AND petfree.

I agree with your post. I don't want children or pets because I don't want any needy creatures dependent on me, I don't want to clean up after them, I don't want to spend money on them, and I don't want the noise and disruption to my life.

I don't care for kids or dogs. I think cats are cute but I can play with friends' cats.

prairieboy1996 · 2023-05-04T06:43:52+00:00

maybe due to something called pregnancy, and all the potential risks, complications and limitations that come with that LOL

Dimension597 · 2023-05-03T20:08:42+00:00

Is this a joke? Or have you simply never taken care of children or pets?

Those are the only two I can possible explanations I can think of that might allow you to utter such a nonsensical garbage with a straight face.

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Sophiatab · 2023-05-03T14:36:10+00:00

Pets can be sterilized. The same is not true of teenagers (which is the way it should be, I know).

MiddleZealousideal89 · 2023-05-03T17:45:35+00:00

It's easier and cheaper to take care of a pet than it is to take care of a child. We have a cat, he's awesome. We play with him, get him the best quality food I can find at the local PetSmart and just cuddle while we're watching a movie. He is nowhere near as time or finance-consuming as a child would be.

Dogs are a bit more difficult to deal with, at least if you don't have a big yard. They have a lot of energy, they need to be walked a lot, your vet bills might be a bit higher as they're exposed to other animals and all sorts of stuff on the outside, they require way more attention than cats, you have to train them, etc. But you can still go out for a few hours and have a drink while your dog is chilling at home. Can't do that with babies and toddlers.

And pets are basically all the cute parts of kids with none of the downsides. They don't grow up and become adults that you can be proud of, but eh, they also don't grow up and become disappointments.

LadyofTheGreyPath · 2023-05-03T17:50:29+00:00

Simple: I like animals more than I like the vast majority of people and I have zero desire to procreate, the complications alone aren't worth getting pregnant, world is so shitty I couldn't in good conscience have a child, and I lack maternal instincts.

literaryhogwartian · 2023-05-03T17:54:14+00:00

Because I didn't have to birth my cats. Also they didn't affect my career. Plus they take a a lot less time to look after. Plus I like cats

slazengerx · 2023-05-03T20:51:48+00:00

Speaking specifically to dogs, they're most of the fun with a fraction of the costs, hassles and negatives. I'd take the average dog's companionship over the average kid's companionship every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

I_DRINK_ANARCHY · 2023-05-03T21:35:07+00:00

I mean...pets are not people.

I can leave pets home alone for hours. I can even keep them in one room or a large enough cage if truly necessary for periods of time.

They don't require almost two decades worth of education.

I don't have to get pregnant to have a pet, and it's a lot easier/ to adopt an animal than it is a human.

There's just less overall cost and responsibility associated with pets. Not zero but very much less.

I mean, the differences between pets and children are so vast, it feels dumb to even try to list them. It's like asking why someone has a pedal bike if they don't like motorcycles.

csn924 · 2023-05-03T22:34:45+00:00

Why not ask this same question about men?

Orangematcha · 2023-05-04T07:28:43+00:00

You honestly can’t tell the difference between a child and and a pet? Do you plan on having kids yourself? If so you should look up how much maintenance and cost they are before asking such silly questions.

You doing watch your pets all day. You don’t have to worry diligently about their life.

It’s honestly scary how bad some people are with understand child development but feel so free to bring it up.

thetruthishere_ · 2023-05-04T17:23:05+00:00

People like pets? I grew up with pets and have had one my whole life.

megapuffz · 2023-05-04T17:56:06+00:00

My cat requires less physical and emotional upkeep than a child and still provides companionship.

2023-05-06T10:49:42+00:00

Getting a pet is considerably faster and cheaper and involves much fewer complications that getting a child. Let alone making the child yourself.

The maintenance cost is much lower, as you have figured out by yourself, and as a father of three children and owner of a dog, let me tell you that the required work is orders of magnitude less.

By the way, this is also true for men, except that they are unlikely to directly suffer from a pregnancy.

sadbitch55 · 2023-05-12T19:24:02+00:00

It makes a whole lot of sense. Cats are cheaper, cuddlier and are not getting bullied at school.

ruminajaali · 2023-05-13T17:31:10+00:00

Kids? Pets are better than most humans when living under one roof

Title	Why are so many child free women not pet free? It doesn’t make sense to not want kids but want pets instead.
Author	lostacoshermanos
Upvotes	0
Comments	71
Date	May 3, 2023 7:47 AM UTC (3 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/PurplePillDebate
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/PurplePillDebate/comments/136dvhb/why_are_so_many_child_free_women_not_pet_free_it/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/PurplePillDebate/why-are-so-many-child-free-women-not-pet-free-it.1217487 https://theredarchive.com/post/1217487

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