Are dogs replacing children? | Animal Wellness Magazine

Are dogs replacing children in modern society? In many countries, the number of dogs has surged so dramatically that it now surpasses the number of children. Some view this as a clear sign people are choosing dogs over parenthood. But researchers remain uncertain — deeper social and cultural factors may be driving the trend. 

Professor Enikő Kubinyi, who leads the Department of Ethology at Eötvös Loránd University, recently proposed a groundbreaking theory, published in the journal Current Directions in Psychological Science. According to her, there is a connection between dog guardianship and declining birth rates — but not in the way we might think.

Many people consider their dogs family members, and some even place them above human relationships. A recent Hungarian study revealed that 19% of childless individuals, and even 10% of parents, value their dogs at least partially more than any human. 

“Some say dogs are the new children, while others find this idea outrageous,” says Kubinyi. “Some studies suggest dog owners hold more negative views of motherhood. Mothers who own dogs may find parenting more burdensome, which could reduce their willingness to have more children.”

The opposing argument is that dog guardianship might actually increase human fertility rates. “Families with children are more likely to have dogs, and some couples see their dogs as a ‘practice child’, a preparatory step toward starting a family,” says Kubinyi. 

“Women also tend to find men with dogs more attractive, which could increase the chances of fatherhood,” she adds. According to this view, dogs aren’t replacing children — they’re adding dogs before starting a family.

Dogs also act as a kind of ‘social glue,’ helping build human relationships. For example, walking a dog increases opportunities for social interaction. Thus, dogs may play an important role in creating social networks among people. 

“The number of children is not declining because the number of dogs is increasing, but the same trend lies behind both phenomena: the transformation of social networks,” says Kubinyi. 

“The caregiving instinct and the need for social support are part of our genetic wiring. But these drives have shifted toward companion animals, partly because human relationships are often damaged or absent.”says Kubinyi. “Dog ownership is a wonderful thing when it connects people rathern 

“We need to strengthen family-based social support systems and reduce social isolation,” isolates them.”

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