Some couples are channeling their nurturing instincts towards animals due to the costs, mental burden, and long-term commitment associated with raising children. (The Print 16 June 2024) Sadly, these young people are called DINK (Double Income No Kids). The Bible ordained the family as the first institution, a covenant relationship, and commanded to multiply. (Genesis 2:22-24)
Co-creators: God the creator, has given the capacity to human couple, husband, and wife, to be co-creators with Him, in bringing humans into this world. Some foolishly refuse this privilege.
Parent of pet: A pet is an animal. Mother animal teaches the baby animal the way to live. Mother monkeys are parents of monkeys and teach them to jump trees, pluck fruits, eat nuts, and survive in safety. Human couples are not teaching dogs to bark, eat meat; or teach cats to catch mice. Hence the term, Parent of a pet is a misnomer.
Stability or worries: Some couples claim their decision is simple. Having a pet is mental stability over a lifetime of worries. The Bible teaches that the Children are a gift from God. (Psalm 127:3) Gifts ought to be received with thanks and nurtured with care and commitment. Pets just grow, but children develop. Children will outgrow, outflank, and outsmart their parents. If parents are immature and are not willing to grow, it is a burden.
Fear of responsibility: A few professionally successful parents do not want to take responsibility for their own or adopted children. One person expressed her unwillingness: Having a child would mean months of sleeplessness, financial burden, have to manage their school and college education.
Adopting children: Many children are orphans, as their parents died due to disease, disaster, or accidents. Some are abandoned as their parents have divorced. One parent is alive, and another is dead, hence the child is neglected. Easily such couples could adopt a child and give the child a great future. Esther was a girl adopted by Mordecai, who became a queen. (Esther 2:7)
Do I have a biblical understanding of being a parent?