Parenting a Companion Animal as a Precursor to Parenting a Human Child

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Kasey A Travitz (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: Participants were ten emerging adult (18-29) , heterosexual couples who have had a companion animal for at least six months and have no human children. The present study evaluated parenting responsibilities associated with the companion animal including caregiving , expenses , and negotiation. Data were collected by a demographic survey and semi-structured interviews. Using a grounded theory framework , a self-created interview was conducted in-person with each couple. Overall , the results suggest that the parenting responsibilities associated with raising a companion animal are parallel to the responsibilities of raising a human child. The findings also suggested that the family developmental theory could be modified and adapted to relate to the addition of a companion animal into the family unit , and the developmental changes that occur. Understanding the roles , responsibilities , division of labor , and relationship dynamics when co-parenting a companion animal and how they link to the responsibilities associated with parenting a human child , could open a door to understanding how this trend could be an educational stepping stone for the transition to parenthood.

Additional Information

Publication

Thesis

Language: English

Date: 2017

Keywords

companion animal, attachment theory, family developmental theory, role responsibility, expenses, negotiation

Subjects

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