# Monkeys As Children Monkids By Ben Preiss | Published 2008-04-08 | Unique Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/monkids-people-raising-monkeys-instead-of-kids References: [neatorama](http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/07/monkids/) & [orlandosentinel](http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orl-monkeys0708apr07,0,3831020.story) If you can't get approval for adoption or are an empty nester and still want a kid, there is another option: Get a monkey, dress it up, and treat it like a kid. "More and more people in Florida and elsewhere are raising monkeys as a substitute for children," Neatorama says. "They call them 'monkids' and won't refer to them as pets. Lori Johnson adopted a baby capuchin after her youngest child left home. "The trend is controversial. Animal sanctuaries are seeing a rise in monkeys who are abandoned or relinquished as they mature. The Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary in Gainesville has a waiting list of monkeys that need placement." Sure its self-indulgent, anthropomorphic, unnatural, and a bit twisted, but hey, that's why there's that pursuit of happiness thing in the constitution, right? And if it makes you happy to dress up a monkey and tell everyone it's your kid when you take him to Chuck E Cheese, well that's what our boys in Iraq are fighting for. Before you know it, [Paris Hilton](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paris-pups) will have one, and he'll be wearing [designer cloths](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kimmon-collectibles) and driving her home in her Bentley when she's too hammered to do it herself. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.3/10 - Popularity: 83% | Activity: 98% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Unique](https://www.trendhunter.com/unique) > [Bizarre](https://www.trendhunter.com/bizarre) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Raising Monkeys as Substitute for Children:** The trend of raising monkeys instead of children presents an opportunity for the development of monkeycare services and products. - **Rise of 'monkids':** The rise of 'monkids' presents an opportunity for businesses to develop monkey-inspired fashion and accessories. - **Increase in Abandoned Monkeys:** The increase in abandoned monkeys calls for innovative solutions for monkey welfare and care. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Pet Industry:** The pet industry can explore the development of monkey products and services such as monkey food, housing, and accessories. - **Fashion Industry:** The fashion industry can capitalize on the rise of 'monkids' by creating monkey-inspired fashion and accessories. - **Animal Welfare Industry:** The rise in abandoned monkeys calls for the development of innovative solutions for monkey welfare and care such as monkey sanctuaries and adoption programs. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Playful Monkey-Inspired Coat Stands](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/monkey-coat-stand.md) - [Mini Plush Accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hello-kitty-monchhichi.md) - [Banana Peanut Butter Ice Creams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oreo-monkey-business.md) - [Luxury Bohemian Fashion Brands](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tiger-and-the-monkey.md) - [Low-Calorie Pet Treats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/low-calorie-pet-treats.md) - [Baby-Focused Learning Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/matchstick-monkey.md) - [Fiery Chocolate Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/monkey-bars.md) - [Fashion-Focused Novelty Collectibles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kimmon-collectibles.md) - [Pull-Apart Pizza Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/papa-murphys-monkey-bread.md)