This is the era of the involved, sensitive father. This is the era of the stay-at-home dad. But why does society shame men for choosing to stay at home to care for their family?

Gravitas: Stop shaming stay-at-home dads

<p>While speaking on parenthood during a general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday, Pope Francis said that people who prefer pets are selfish, adding that substituting pets for children "takes away our humanity".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Italy's International Organization for the Protection of Animals (OIPA) called the remark "strange" as Pope said that pets "sometimes take the place of children" in society.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/google-street-view-helps-nab-mafia-boss-on-the-run-for-20-years-442560">Google street view helps nab Mafia boss on the run for 20 years</a></strong></p>

<p>During the audience, the head of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics said, "Today... we see a form of selfishness. We see that some people do not want to have a child. Sometimes they have one, and that's it, but they have dogs and cats that take the place of children. This may make people laugh but it is a reality."</p>

<p>Speaking further he said that "denial of fatherhood and motherhood and diminishes us, takes away our humanity". Thus, "civilisation grows old without humanity because we lose the richness of fatherhood and motherhood, and it is the country that suffers."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Saint Joseph, you who loved Jesus with fatherly love, be close to the many children who have no family and who long for a daddy and mommy. Support the couples who are unable to have children, help them to discover, through this suffering, a greater plan. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GeneralAudience?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GeneralAudience</a></p>
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pontifex/status/1478705338203344899?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>While reacting to Pope's remark, OIPA said it was "strange to think that the pope considers the love in our lives limited quantitatively". The Italy-based animal rights group also cited the sacrifices of volunteers who save the lives of animals.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pope Francis is not known to have a pet at his Vatican residence but important to note that his predecessor Benedict XVI was a cat lover.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Pope Francis says 'choosing pets over kids is selfish'</strong></p>

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<p>However, there have been instances when Francis was spotted petting dogs, he also allowed a baby lamb to be draped over his shoulders during Epiphany in 2014. He had even petted a tiger and a baby panther.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Social media users have reacted sharply to the remark made by Pope, either slamming the comments or using memes to express their opinions. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/italy-toughens-vaccination-rules-mandates-jab-for-those-over-50-442536">Italy toughens vaccination rules, mandates jab for those over 50</a></strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I gotta say, if I were the pope, I would simply not have opinions about other people's children. <a href="https://t.co/1fPVhBoF2t">https://t.co/1fPVhBoF2t</a></p>
— Alice Southey (@alicesouthey) <a href="https://twitter.com/alicesouthey/status/1478819087283331087?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Damn dude. Pope just told us we're selfish for having dogs instead of children. Huge L for us. Please respect our privacy as we take a year off trying to shake this burn, as the church is always right and has never had a bad take</p>
— jacksfilms🌹 (@jacksfilms) <a href="https://twitter.com/jacksfilms/status/1478818436310466561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I think its selfish for older generations to pressure younger people into having children when they have created a social and political landscape that makes it almost impossible. If you want us to have children, help us afford it, tackle inequality, and look after the planet</p>
— Rach (@RachelTiplady3) <a href="https://twitter.com/RachelTiplady3/status/1478715426897121288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Drop my kids off with the pope for the weekend then see what he has to say come Monday.</p>
— Andi (@smiles_and_nods) <a href="https://twitter.com/smiles_and_nods/status/1478897561851375618?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Cat twitter getting mentally prepared to drag Pope Francis for saying people who choose pets over having kids are selfish. <a href="https://t.co/AyqAlxpggp">pic.twitter.com/AyqAlxpggp</a></p>
— ClockOutWars (@clockoutwars) <a href="https://twitter.com/clockoutwars/status/1478826473188380679?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


While speaking on parenthood during a general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday, Pope Francis said that people who prefer pets are selfish, adding that substituting pets for children "takes away our humanity".

While speaking on parenthood during a general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday, Pope Francis said that people who prefer pets are selfish, adding that substituting pets for children "takes away our humanity". Italy's International Organization for the Protection of Animals (OIPA) called the remark "strange" as Pope said that pets "sometimes take the place of children" in society. ALSO READ | Google street view helps nab Mafia boss on the run for 20 years During the audience, the head of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics said, "Today... we see a form of selfishness. We see that some people do not want to have a child. Sometimes they have one, and that's it, but they have dogs and cats that take the place of children. This may make people laugh but it is a reality." Speaking further he said that "denial of fatherhood and motherhood and diminishes us, takes away our humanity". Thus, "civilisation grows old without humanity because we lose the richness of fatherhood and motherhood, and it is the country that suffers." Saint Joseph, you who loved Jesus with fatherly love, be close to the many children who have no family and who long for a daddy and mommy. Support the couples who are unable to have children, help them to discover, through this suffering, a greater plan. #GeneralAudience — Pope Francis (@Pontifex) January 5, 2022 × While reacting to Pope's remark, OIPA said it was "strange to think that the pope considers the love in our lives limited quantitatively". The Italy-based animal rights group also cited the sacrifices of volunteers who save the lives of animals. Pope Francis is not known to have a pet at his Vatican residence but important to note that his predecessor Benedict XVI was a cat lover. Watch | Gravitas: Pope Francis says 'choosing pets over kids is selfish' However, there have been instances when Francis was spotted petting dogs, he also allowed a baby lamb to be draped over his shoulders during Epiphany in 2014. He had even petted a tiger and a baby panther. Social media users have reacted sharply to the remark made by Pope, either slamming the comments or using memes to express their opinions. ALSO READ | Italy toughens vaccination rules, mandates jab for those over 50 I gotta say, if I were the pope, I would simply not have opinions about other people's children. https://t.co/1fPVhBoF2t — Alice Southey (@alicesouthey) January 5, 2022 × Damn dude. Pope just told us we're selfish for having dogs instead of children. Huge L for us. Please respect our privacy as we take a year off trying to shake this burn, as the church is always right and has never had a bad take — jacksfilms🌹 (@jacksfilms) January 5, 2022 × I think its selfish for older generations to pressure younger people into having children when they have created a social and political landscape that makes it almost impossible. If you want us to have children, help us afford it, tackle inequality, and look after the planet — Rach (@RachelTiplady3) January 5, 2022 × Drop my kids off with the pope for the weekend then see what he has to say come Monday. — Andi (@smiles_and_nods) January 6, 2022 × Cat twitter getting mentally prepared to drag Pope Francis for saying people who choose pets over having kids are selfish. pic.twitter.com/AyqAlxpggp — ClockOutWars (@clockoutwars) January 5, 2022 ×

Pope Francis calls couples selfish who choose pets over kids, says it 'takes away humanity'

<p>The US has experienced the biggest decline in births since 1973, and 44 per cent of American adults say they don't want a child because the future appears bleak.</p>

<p>According to Pew Research Center's survey of almost 4,000 adults, 44 per cent of non-parents between 18 and 49 said they simply do not want children, an increase of seven per cent over 2018 (37 per cent).&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/visible-deterioration-of-democracy-us-joins-annual-list-of-backsliding-democracies-431083" hreflang="en">'Visible deterioration of democracy': US joins annual list of 'backsliding' democracies</a></strong></p>

<p>Parenthood was once seen as the natural progression of life, but now more and more adults are citing a multitude of reasons why they don't want to have kids.&nbsp;</p>

<p>More than 50 per cent of these people say they 'just don't want to have children,' while 43 per cent give other reasons, with medical and finances highest at 19 and 17 per cent, respectively.</p>

<p>Another 9 per cent of respondents cited the 'state of the world' as too bleak and depressing for them to want children. In addition, 2 per cent of respondents said that their partners didn't want children.&nbsp;</p>

<p>74 per cent of parents under 50 said they did not plan on having more children in the future. This number, according to the Pew Research Center, has barely changed since 2018.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kamala-harris-and-her-husband-doug-emhoff-become-first-family-to-hang-mezuzah-on-executive-home-430992">Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff become first family to hang mezuzah on executive home</a></strong></p>

<p>As in the case of non-parents, parents cited the biggest reason for not having more babies simply because they did not want any more.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The group cited age as the second most important reason. At 23 per cent and 14 per cent, medical and financial reasons also ranked high.</p>

<p>A further 11 per cent said they already had a child, and four per cent believed the world was too bleak.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Contrary to the stereotype that every woman dreams of a house filled with children, both men and women were equally likely to say they would probably not have children.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As of 2020, the average US household size is 2.53, down almost 1 since 1960, when it was 3.33 people per household.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/its-raining-cash-people-grab-free-money-as-dollars-spill-from-truck-on-to-us-freeway-430994">It's raining cash! People grab free money as dollars spill from truck on to US freeway</a></strong></p>

<p>The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus pandemic</a> has also caused a decline in fertility rates in the US due to public health and economic troubles. The US birthrate dropped by eight per cent in the nine months after COVID-19 was declared a national emergency.</p>

<p>According to the CDC, around 3.6 million babies were born in 2020, a four per cent decline - the largest in over 40 years. Twenty-five states also recorded more deaths than births in 2020.</p>


The US has experienced the biggest decline in births since 1973, and 44 per cent of American adults say they don't want a child because the future appears bleak.

The US has experienced the biggest decline in births since 1973, and 44 per cent of American adults say they don't want a child because the future appears bleak. According to Pew Research Center's survey of almost 4,000 adults, 44 per cent of non-parents between 18 and 49 said they simply do not want children, an increase of seven per cent over 2018 (37 per cent). Also read | 'Visible deterioration of democracy': US joins annual list of 'backsliding' democracies Parenthood was once seen as the natural progression of life, but now more and more adults are citing a multitude of reasons why they don't want to have kids. More than 50 per cent of these people say they 'just don't want to have children,' while 43 per cent give other reasons, with medical and finances highest at 19 and 17 per cent, respectively. Another 9 per cent of respondents cited the 'state of the world' as too bleak and depressing for them to want children. In addition, 2 per cent of respondents said that their partners didn't want children. 74 per cent of parents under 50 said they did not plan on having more children in the future. This number, according to the Pew Research Center, has barely changed since 2018. Also read | Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff become first family to hang mezuzah on executive home As in the case of non-parents, parents cited the biggest reason for not having more babies simply because they did not want any more. The group cited age as the second most important reason. At 23 per cent and 14 per cent, medical and financial reasons also ranked high. A further 11 per cent said they already had a child, and four per cent believed the world was too bleak. Contrary to the stereotype that every woman dreams of a house filled with children, both men and women were equally likely to say they would probably not have children. As of 2020, the average US household size is 2.53, down almost 1 since 1960, when it was 3.33 people per household. Also read | It's raining cash! People grab free money as dollars spill from truck on to US freeway The coronavirus pandemic has also caused a decline in fertility rates in the US due to public health and economic troubles. The US birthrate dropped by eight per cent in the nine months after COVID-19 was declared a national emergency. According to the CDC, around 3.6 million babies were born in 2020, a four per cent decline - the largest in over 40 years. Twenty-five states also recorded more deaths than births in 2020.

44% Americans don't want children, say the world is too 'bleak'

For parents Jose Perez and Flavia Lavorino, the wait is finally over. On Wednesday, the couple from Buenos Aires met their baby son Manu for the first time, 71 days after he was born to a surrogate mother 8,000 miles (12,875 km) away in Ukraine.

After long delay, parents finally meet surrogate baby in Ukraine

<p>Actor couple Sumeet Vyas and Ekta Kaul have been blessed with a baby boy. Sumeet took tyo Twitter to announce the arrival of the new member of his family who has been named Ved.<br />
<br />
"It's a boy. Shall be called Ved. Mamma and Daddy are acting cliche... Smothering the child every few minutes," he tweeted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It’s a boy.<br />
Shall be called VED.<br />
Mamma and Daddy are acting cliché ... smothering the child every few minutes...</p>
— Sumeet Vyas (@vyas_sumeet) <a href="https://twitter.com/vyas_sumeet/status/1268389988569399297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>The couple tied the knot in 2018 and this is their first child together.<br />
<br />
Ekta, who is a TV actress, had announced her pregnancy in April on social media.<br />
<br />
In an interview to a news agency last month, Sumeet had said that there were lessons to learn from the current nationwide lockdown. The actor who has appeared in films like 'English Vinglish', 'Parched' and 'Veere Di Wedding' also said the lockdown has helped in rethinking about his life and that the new perspective would help in his journey of becoming a father.<br />
<br />
"If we are not able to learn lessons from this lockdown as human beings, then this would be a failed exercise. This has happened for a reason, spend time with each other, ourselves, question how we went about things.<br />
<br />
"How we wanted to consume everything nature had to offer without anything to give in return. That's the biggest lesson that I'm learning. I'm sure that'll help me as a parent when I move on to that journey," Sumeet had said.<br />
<br />
The actor has featured in prominent web series including 'Permanent Roommates' and 'Bang Baaja Bride'.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Actor couple Sumeet Vyas and Ekta Kaul have been blessed with a baby boy. Sumeet took tyo Twitter to announce the arrival of the new member of his family who has been named Ved.

Actor couple Sumeet Vyas and Ekta Kaul have been blessed with a baby boy. Sumeet took tyo Twitter to announce the arrival of the new member of his family who has been named Ved. "It's a boy. Shall be called Ved. Mamma and Daddy are acting cliche... Smothering the child every few minutes," he tweeted. It’s a boy. Shall be called VED. Mamma and Daddy are acting cliché ... smothering the child every few minutes... — Sumeet Vyas (@vyas_sumeet) June 4, 2020 × The couple tied the knot in 2018 and this is their first child together. Ekta, who is a TV actress, had announced her pregnancy in April on social media. In an interview to a news agency last month, Sumeet had said that there were lessons to learn from the current nationwide lockdown. The actor who has appeared in films like 'English Vinglish', 'Parched' and 'Veere Di Wedding' also said the lockdown has helped in rethinking about his life and that the new perspective would help in his journey of becoming a father. "If we are not able to learn lessons from this lockdown as human beings, then this would be a failed exercise. This has happened for a reason, spend time with each other, ourselves, question how we went about things. "How we wanted to consume everything nature had to offer without anything to give in return. That's the biggest lesson that I'm learning. I'm sure that'll help me as a parent when I move on to that journey," Sumeet had said. The actor has featured in prominent web series including 'Permanent Roommates' and 'Bang Baaja Bride'.

Sumeet Vyas and wife Ekta Kaul become parents to a baby boy

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