Young couples opting for pets over children: Is it really about the cost?

I've met individuals who claim they don't want kids because raising them is too expensive, yet they're willing to invest both time and money in caring for multiple dogs. It’s puzzling: is keeping pets truly less costly than raising a child?

The typical argument is that the financial burden of raising children, especially in today's uncertain economy, is overwhelming. Yet, when I observe these same individuals spending on cages, food, toys, medical bills, and even outfits for their pets, I can't help but wonder—aren't these expenses significant too? After all, taking care of a pet also involves responsibility and costs that can rival, if not exceed, those of raising a child.

From my perspective, such arguments often serve as a way to sidestep the larger responsibility of parenthood. For some, the fear goes beyond finances; they worry about losing their freedom, their body image, or the ease of traveling without the constraints a child might bring. It’s as though having a child is seen as a burden rather than a natural progression in life.

I’ve noticed that those who argue they aren’t "ready" for kids often enjoy a lifestyle full of leisure—traveling several times a year, dining out, and indulging in luxuries. It’s not so much that they can’t afford children; rather, they don’t want to adjust their current lifestyle to accommodate the needs of a child.

Marriage, in its essence, requires sacrifice. Whether it’s giving up some personal freedom or reallocating resources, parenthood is part of that compromise. Take, for example, the cost of raising a dog. Some spend millions of dong monthly on their pets, yet they argue they can't afford to raise a child. Isn't that contradictory? In fact, the time and financial commitment required for pets can sometimes be just as significant, if not more so, than for children.

My own family used to raise many breeds, from Japanese dogs to German Shepherds, and at any given time, we had about 30-40 dogs. It was a business, but also a significant responsibility. Feeding them high-quality food, managing their health, and providing care wasn’t far off from the effort needed to raise a child.

If someone openly admits they prefer the freedom of not having children, that’s perfectly valid. But using financial strain as an excuse to shirk the responsibility of parenthood, while simultaneously spending on travel, luxury goods, or multiple pets, seems like a convenient way to avoid the truth. The reality is that the money spent on raising two or three pets, traveling several times a year, or indulging in daily luxuries is more than enough to raise a child.