Pet's are amazing. They are therapeutic, loving, and even rewarding. However I have noticed a trend among the unfortunate single folk (and this could be you). That trend is substituting something other then human comfort with another. It's no secret we are having less and less children; as they are viewed as more of an economic burden.
This is a wide ranging topic and perhaps controversial as I am sure many people may feel personally offended. My observations are not meant to make anyone feel bad; but maybe to re-evaluate and prioritize our relationships. I know human beings can be cruel and outright evil; but the animal kingdom is not the human kingdom. The love from a pet I know all too well. I feel sad when they get hurt and I have mourned when they die.
I feel this generation more then ever utilizes the many "drugs" at our disposal. Perhaps it's to re-direct the love and caring we want to give/receive. Is it far fetched to say pornography can substitute when men have a hard time relating to beautiful women? Could pornography help or hinder any attempt to relate to the opposite sex?
My father had a great story; there was a REALLY nerdy guy in school and ALL the women loved him. The cool kids didn't know his secret; but according to all of them HE WAS UGLY. What did the girls like about him? Well, in short he knew how to talk to them. Perhaps we are not communicating in this day and age and I know women love to be heard!
Human beings ARE different from all other animals. We cannot change the nature of animals (although they can be tamed). The question really is: Are we a (more) selfish generation? Are human beings just too high maintenance in this day and age? I'll tell you this, western lifestyle is focused around a selfish lifestyle. It's not a favor bringing someone into this world. The way it's going, our parents will become more of a burden as the demographics show they outnumber us. Nature has a way of showing us our short term gain for long term pain. There is an interesting prophecy in the bible; and it's that the young will basically dump their parents. Whether you believe in that or not, I think it will be self fulfilling in the future. Our tax system will not be able to generate enough income to help pay for them (or other services).
Shouldn't children be rewarding? Of course there are people who cannot have or afford children, and don't get me wrong; pets are amazing! Maybe drawing the line is when we make our pets a priority besides propagating our own species.