Claudia Rivera 

Editor in Chief 

cmr6395@psu.edu 

Why do people prefer pets over kids? The answer is very simple: having kids is extremely hard, and having a pet brings joy and happiness. This isn’t to say that children are not a blessing, but they are in fact a bigger responsibility, one that many people do not want. The pope has stated that having pets over kids is selfish, and I have to completely disagree for many reasons. 

The first reason being the world is already overpopulated. There are many people who have children that can’t take care of them, and leave those children in the foster care system. There are also people who have children and then expect other people to take care of them. So, if it is not selfish for those people to have children that they have no intention of taking care of, then how is it selfish for some to have a pet rather than a child? Foster care is already filled with children that desperately need a home because people can’t always afford the amount that it costs to start or maintain a family, but they can afford the cost of having a pet. 

Another reason why I fully disagree with this statement is because pets are easier to take care of than children are. For example, I am a senior in college about to graduate, and I have a one year old chihuahua. My chihuahua is the sweetest girl in the world and she brings me happiness while calming me down from my everyday stress. I feed her twice a day, I take her on walks three  times a day and I play with her. That is my responsibility to her, and it is not the same as the responsibility that having a child would bring to my life. It is hard for college students or recent college graduates to begin a family with children, but it is easier to start a beautiful family with a new pet. 

The last reason as to why I disagree with the statement that having a pet and not a child makes you selfish, is because children grow up and eventually decide to leave the nest and start their new families.  Your pet will never never leave you, they will wait for you everytime you leave and make sure to surround you with kisses and love. 

At the end of the day, whatever happens with someone else is none of anyone’s business. What women and couples choose to do with their families shouldnt affect anyone outside of that relationship. It is also hard to believe that a man that has vowed his life to celibacy and has not had children, believes it is okay to judge those who have not procreated. Having pets is a blessing and bringing a new pup home will bring a new family together.