In a certain context, dogs could be considered equivalent to children, given their behaviors, affections, and capacity to learn. - Is it suggested that dogs make superior children figures?
In Many Homes Across Germany, Dogs Fill the Role of Loved Ones as Birth Rates Decrease
Ranging from pampered pets in tiny sweaters to family members with a place at the dinner table, it's evident that many dogs are cherished companions in German households. Recent data reveals that approximately 21 percent of households in the country own a canine, a figure that has remained relatively stable in recent years.
According to research from the journal "European Psychologist," this trend may be connected to the modern lifestyle, where many adults have limited interaction with children and rely on pets for companionship. In Western and East Asian societies, dogs are increasingly filling the role of family members, with some owners even regarding them as their children.
As life circumstances change, so does the dog's role in the family. For single young adults, they can be roommates or friends; for newlyweds, they serve as the first child; for families with young children, they act as playmates; for the elderly, they provide emotional support and company.
Hungarian researchers Laura Gillet and Enikő Kubinyi of the Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest believe that people redirect their biologically oriented desire to care onto animals as a means of fulfilling emotional needs. Dogs, in particular, can form a similar bond with their caregivers as infants do with their parents, and the role of being cared for may even be better filled by a dog than by a human.
While some may view dogs as a substitute for children, Gillet and Kubinyi caution against generalizing this assumption. A dog or a child are not the same, and many owners consciously choose dogs over children because of the inherent differences in the relationships.
In fact, according to several studies, many owners opt for dogs precisely because they are not like children. This is underscored by findings that most respondents would choose to save a human over a hundred dogs in a theoretical dilemma. Moreover, the likelihood of ending a relationship with a dog is higher than with a child, demonstrating that dog owners make a clear distinction between humans and animals.
Cultural differences are significant when it comes to the relationship between dog owners and their pets. In American society, pet owners often refer to themselves as the "parents" of their furry "children" among friends or family, but use more neutral terms with colleagues or strangers. In contrast, relationships in other countries, such as Japan, tend to be more distant.
Although dogs are often nurtured like children, there are crucial differences between the two relationships, particularly regarding long-term commitment and social expectations. While dogs can provide companionship and emotional support, they do not carry the same demands and responsibilities as human children.
The community policy might consider incorporating provisions for pets, recognizing their increasing role as family members in many households. This could include home-and-garden regulations that accommodate pet-friendly spaces.
Moreover, employment policy should be mindful of the growing trend of pet ownershipamong adults, potentially offering flexible work arrangements to accommodate pet care needs, aligning with the modern lifestyle that prioritizes companionship beyond traditional family structures.
