All in the Family: Pets and Family Structure

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Human-Animal Studies
• Demography

Background:

• Traditional demographic variables inadequately capture pet ownership nuances.
• Evolving family structures necessitate a deeper understanding of pets' roles within households.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze pet integration within various family structures (couples, singles, with/without children).
• To investigate pets' substitute or complementary roles in families.
• To examine resource constraints and cultural factors influencing pet ownership.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the 2023 Pew Research Social Trends study data (n=5073).
• Utilized bivariate and multinomial statistical models.
• Employed a demographic framework focusing on family structures.

Main Results:

• Couples without children are as likely as couples with children to own only dogs.
• Couples without children show higher rates of cat ownership.
• Homeownership is positively associated with pet feasibility, particularly for dogs.

Conclusions:

• Pets function as both substitutes and complements for human family members.
• Pets fill a niche in contemporary family formation patterns.
• Affordability, companionship, and a sense of home are key drivers for pet inclusion.