A message to Pope Francis: Choosing pets over children does not make women ‘selfish’

It was refreshing to see an almost universal response to a man telling women what to do with their bodies, writes Harriet Hall

The Pope’s comments came over as not only misguided but also deeply insensitive (AP)

Want a guaranteed way to enrage millennial women? Criticise them for not having children. Then, if you really want to be at the receiving end of some serious ire, criticise them for having pets. For we are the generation of the pet-obsessed – and we are absolutely not ashamed to say it.

We’re a generation that has dealt with mounting student debt, recessions, Brexit and the pandemic and still, somehow, manage to get told that the reason we aren’t in the money is down to our own life choices. Too much avocado on toast was one that dragged on for a while, too many chai tea lattes was another. We began to wonder if Boomers would rather see us just stop eating.

Now, we’ve been called selfish by none other than the Pope for not having children – as we battle debt, try to get on the housing ladder and hope to make progress in our careers.

I’ve enjoyed seeing how media publications like this one have responded to the religious leader’s comments, from women proudly announcing that they do in fact prefer the uncomplicated love of a feline or canine friend to the uncertain and potentially career-ruining decision of having children; as well as hearing from brave honest mothers who have found the experience of parenting to be rather less enjoyable than they had expected it to be, and seeing people declare their love to pets who have supported them through difficulties.

To keep up to speed with all the latest opinions and comment, sign up to our free weekly Voices Dispatches newsletter by clicking here

As we know, pet ownership soared during the pandemic as people sought the comfort and unconditional love of an animal. Much of this has been scoffed at by the more settled older generation who sees the dog-obsessed youth as overly sentimental but scoffing at the joy brought to many, suffering during a time of global crisis by their pets, is a low bar.

Of course, for many people struggling to or unable to have children, the Pope’s comments came as not only misguided but also deeply insensitive. And for those whose anxiety about the climate crisis outweighs their desire to change dirty nappies, those same comments could be considered downright ignorant.

Whatever people’s reasons, reactions and pet or child status, it was refreshing to see an almost-universal response to a man, without children, telling women why they’re selfish for not having children.

I am a millennial with a pet, hear me roar.

Yours,

Harriet Hall

Lifestyle editor