Pets replacing children in Japan

I read something interesting the other day, food for thought for the weekend, According to yesterday (July 24th, 2008) article published in The Globe and Mail, reporter Danielle Demetriou wrote an interesting article in regards to pets replacing children in Japan.

To some up the theme of the article, while fertility rate is declining in comparison, the pet industry in Japan is booming. This is contributed to the fact that raising a child is more expensive and less time consuming to care than a pet. This is something that my sister and I can relate with Freedom. This may also be contributed to the fact that more women are either joining and or currently in the work force and having pets as a suitable substitute in the meantime.


Although we do want kids of our own someday, having a lab in the house allows me to nourish my parental skills without the financial cost (at this time) or drama or care associated especially with puberty.

In Japan and all around the world for that matter, there are now specialty bakeries, social gathering events, play dates, spa’s etc. that it is no wonder we are encouraged to substitute pets for children.

Luv Sheila & Freedom (my child for now)