Persuasive Essay: Should Kids Have Pets?

Should Kids Have Pets?

Pets are all over the world, and a part of many people's everyday lives. After seeing my grandmas dog close to death about a week ago, it reminded me of how impacted I was when I lost a pet in the past. That’s when I realized that pets leave a very impactful mark on other people's lives. Then, I remembered not everyone has had pets in their lives due to various reasons like allergies and seeing them as dangerous. This led me to my research question; Should kids have pets in their lives? Weighing the options, I can see both sides to the question at hand. I was a child who grew up with pets by my side, but I also had been greatly harmed by one. When I was just a preschooler, I was critically bit by my own dog in the face, just inches away from a fatal vein in my neck. I still have the scar to this day, yet I still surround myself with animals everyday.

In the 21st century, depression, anxiety, and stress are at an all time high in society. More and more people are committing suicide and being diagnosed with mental health issues. More and more kids are beginning to get anxiety and stress issues at a young age. Sometimes, pets are the easiest for children to talk to about their issues. "Even though pets may not fully understand or respond verbally, the level of disclosure to pets was no less than to siblings...The fact that pets cannot understand or talk back may even be a benefit as it means they are completely non-judgmental. Your pet doesn't understand you. But they also totally understand you”(Dahl). Growing up with pets at such a young age, I was also a child that did this. It may not seem like it to adults, but sometimes a family pet really is easier for a child to talk to because they can’t really respond back. It gives a child a chance to rant about their issues without someone talking back or even tell them their issues aren’t