Fertility rates continue to decline globally amidst the second demographic transition, marked by urbanization, increased educational attainment, and most importantly, a new flexibility in life-course organization. As a result, some individuals are choosing to bring companion animals in the home rather than raising children. Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore whether these transitions result in differential companion animal attachment and caregiving behavior in the homes of parents (or those who desire to become parents) and nonparents or childfree “pet parents.” Methods A total of 917 respondents completed an online survey via Qualtrics that included demographic questions, the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS), and Likert-scale questions designed to probe direct and indirect caretaking behaviors. Results Nonparents reported more Generalized Attachment and more Affective Responsiveness to their companion animals, as well as increased investment in General Care. They also reported more People Substituting on the LAPS. Parents and nonparents reported similar agreement regarding Animal Rights/Welfare and Training and Play. Conclusion I conclude that nonparents' investment in companion animals much like parents invest in children, but in ways that meet species-specific needs. This supports the notion that nonparents may be nurturing companion animals as a trade-off to raising children, but not as a substitute. This is an evolutionarily novel application of parenting strategies in a new, flexible environment.

在第二次人口转型中，全球生育率继续下降，其特点是城市化、教育程度提高，最重要的是生命历程组织的新灵活性。因此，一些人选择将伴侣动物带入家中，而不是抚养孩子。目的本研究的目的是探讨这些转变是否会导致父母（或那些渴望成为父母的人）和非父母或无子女的“宠物父母”家中对伴侣动物的依恋和照顾行为产生差异。方法共有 917 名受访者通过 Qualtrics 完成了一项在线调查，其中包括人口统计问题、列克星敦宠物依恋量表 (LAPS) 和旨在探究直接和间接照顾行为的李克特量表问题。结果非父母报告称，对其伴侣动物有更多的普遍依恋和更多的情感反应，以及对一般护理的投资增加。他们还报告说，LAPS 上有更多的替补人员。父母和非父母报告了有关动物权利/福利以及训练和玩耍的类似协议。结论我的结论是，非父母对伴侣动物的投资很像父母对孩子的投资，但方式是满足物种特定的需求。这支持了这样一种观点，即非父母可能会养育伴侣动物作为养育孩子的一种权衡，但不能作为替代品。这是在新的、灵活的环境中养育策略的进化新颖的应用。