Unhappy, unhealthy pets make humans miserable too. You'll stay happier too. Lots of animals suffer under the care of real animal lovers. And pets are not status symbols. People don't look cool walking a tiger down the street.
Pets can provide companionship and joy.
They can be something to look forward to after a hard day. Don't overestimate your child. Sometimes things happen and it's out of your control. We understand true emergency situations. And don't think sentencing him to a life in a cage with little human interaction is any better.