Daddy Owen criticises Africans for copying European lifestyle of choosing pets over parenthood
Gospel singer Daddy Owen has sparked fierce debate after criticising what he sees as a growing trend among Africans to prioritise pets and material comfort over family and parenthood.
His remarks come at a time when conversations around culture, modernity, and population dynamics are becoming increasingly urgent. As more Africans embrace urban, tech-driven lifestyles.
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In an X statement on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, the award-winning musician warned that Africans are blindly following a Western lifestyle that has already proven destructive in Europe.
“Europeans chose keeping pets over having babies. Now low birth rates have left them with ageing populations and labour shortages, forcing reliance on immigrants,” the singer wrote.
While the statement referenced European struggles, Owen directed his strongest criticism at Africans who, in his view, are knowingly repeating the same mistakes.
“Africans are copying the same lifestyle, despite knowing the consequences,” the statement read.
According to the singer, the consequences are clear: demographic collapse, strained social systems, and cultural dilution. He argued that Africa, with its youthful population and deep-rooted family values, should not abandon its strengths in pursuit of modern, Western ideals.
Kenya’s parenthood
“We are replacing family with pets, choosing individualism over community, and forgetting our responsibility to future generations,” he cautioned.
Parenthood in Kenya is evolving, with strong legal frameworks like the Children Act establishing parental responsibility, while cultural traditions emphasise family as central to society.
The National Positive Parenting Programme is promoting child well-being through responsive care, safety, and nurturing environments, aiming to move away from traditional, punitive approaches. Challenges include high rates of teenage pregnancy, financial burdens on families, and the importance of women’s empowerment and shared decision-making in households.
Daddy Owen’s remarks boldly confronted what they see as a growing identity crisis among African youth, while critics accused him of promoting outdated views and oversimplifying complex global trends.
Still, his core message struck a chord with many who fear that African societies are drifting away from traditional values in the name of progress.
Experts have repeatedly highlighted Africa’s demographic advantage, with a young and growing population that could drive future economic development. Daddy Owen believes that preserving African values around family, community, and generational continuity is key to realising that potential.
In many Kenyan households, the dream of parenthood is quietly being overshadowed by a relentless financial strain, as the soaring cost of raising a child pushes family budgets to breaking point.
