2023-10-24 17:09:29
Today, in France, animals are an integral part of the daily life of many families: it is estimated that a little more than one in two households own at least one pet (mainly a dog or cat), and that more than a third of children under the age of 18 grow up with animals, following having often been around them from their first years of life. Pets are often even considered full members of the family.
For a long time, this animal presence in the home was considered “trivial” – remember that the first signs of dog domestication date back more than 30,000 years – and not of capital interest. However, things have started to change in recent decades: scientific research has indeed led us to rethink the role and contribution that domestic animals can have on humans, and in particular on children.
Effects on health
First of all, we can mention the effects on health. Growing up with a pet, especially a dog, can promote physical activity in young people, and thus reduce the risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle and time spent in front of screens. This might also help reduce the risk of developing allergy or asthma problems.
Interestingly, in a study conducted in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, researchers demonstrated that, where the confinement phase had detrimental consequences on the sleep quality of young children, those with pets did not. did not show these disturbances. The presence of a pet in the home would therefore have protective effects.
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Finally, a central benefit is the anxiolytic effect that the animal can have, since the presence of a pet, even one unknown to the child, helps reduce stress in the event of a worrying situation, such as when faced with the prospect having to go to the dentist. This anxiolytic effect results in a drop in heart rate and cortisol levels – sometimes called the “stress hormone”.
Furthermore, it has been shown that the simple act of looking a dog in the eyes triggers in humans the secretion of oxytocin, a hormone involved in numerous physiological processes, and in particular in the control of emotions and the mechanisms of social interaction.
Benefits in terms of social relationships
The social and emotional spheres constitute a second area in which living with pets has notable benefits. As early as the 1980s and 1990s, researchers were able to observe that children growing up in a family with a pet acquired better social skills. Children living in homes with an animal, for example, have more developed empathic abilities and demonstrate more so-called “prosocial” behaviors (helping, supporting or comforting behaviors towards others) than others.
If the animal has such an impact on the child’s development, it is because it gives him the opportunity, through interactions and the various situations they experience together, to test certain social behaviors and certain forms of interactions. This state of affairs allows the child to gradually train and refine his ways of interacting with others. He would thus come to keep the right gestures and the right forms of interaction, and to abandon those which scare the animal away.
In their relationship with their pet, children can develop a strong emotional bond. The pet can become an attachment figure, a non-judgmental partner, a confidant. He is also often identified by most 5-year-old children as one of the most important figures in their entourage. However, the stronger the link with the latter, the greater the resulting benefits.
Improved well-being and self-esteem
Having an animal would promote well-being and self-esteem in children, and would also have protective effects, for example, once morest depression and loneliness.
In a study also carried out during the confinements linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, researchers observed that 65% of parents with a pet at home say that the said animal had beneficial effects on their child during this period. , whether it constitutes a source of distraction, helps reduce feelings of loneliness or even alleviates stress or anxiety.
However, as mentioned previously, the observed benefits arise above all from the quality of the relationship and the strength of the attachment developed between the child and the animal rather than from the simple fact of having an animal and being around it.
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Better learning
The effects on health and the socio-emotional sphere have been the most studied. However, research also suggests that the presence of an animal in the home can also be a source of learning for the child.
Besides the fact that this presence can allow him to understand certain concepts such as those linked to the cycles of life (birth, childhood, reproduction, death), growing up with an animal leads him to worry regarding the needs of another and to experience a role reversal where he becomes the person who takes care of others. In finethis would help him develop his autonomy.
These contributions might also extend to other elements of learning. Indeed, some researchers suggest that the animal might constitute a source of motivation for learning language – to communicate with it and transmit commands. In addition, the presence of the animal during learning might not only help the child to concentrate, but also calm them down, thus improving their performance.
A new form of mediation has recently been developed to take advantage of this effect: reading to the dog, which consists of the child reading a story aloud while speaking to the dog. The calming, non-judgmental and motivating presence of the dog would make it easier to learn to read for young children who are learning or encountering difficulties. This also contributes to the development of the presence of animals, and in particular dogs, in schools.
Finally, the last sphere of benefits of pets does not just concern the child, but the entire household.
Benefits for the whole family
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As mentioned previously, the pet often becomes a full member of the family. In the same way as these other members, it can therefore have an impact on the interactions and relationships within it. Not only does its presence encourage shared moments of life, but it also has a so-called “social catalyst” effect: the animal motivates and facilitates positive interactions between humans.
More generally, it is frequently observed that families owning an animal show better family functioning: they demonstrate better adaptability (ability to change the rules, roles depending on the situation) and stronger cohesion (emotional bonds between members).
Health, well-being, social and emotional development, learning… Growing up with an animal can therefore be a source of many benefits. Furthermore, its effects can also extend to the entire family.
However, it must be emphasized that not all children develop a special relationship with their pet. Additionally, this relationship may change over time. Furthermore, some children have little attraction to animals, or prefer certain species over others.
Before welcoming an animal into your own home with the aim of allowing your child to benefit from its presence, it is therefore important to correctly assess their desire. The benefits linked to this newcomer will in fact depend above all on the relationship and attachment that the child will form with him.
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