I can’t speak for Pit Bulls as such because I live in a country where (sadly – in my opinion) they are banned. However, I can speak for other breeds like Staffordshire Bull Terriers (a breed that I have myself), Rottweilers and American Bulldogs (a breed that I have worked with regularly) and, yes, I believe that they are popular with a certain class of people. They are like a status symbol for many of these people and that’s were many of the problems start. I have worked and owned Staffies and, in the right hands, they can make wonderful family dogs. My research on Pit Bulls tells me that they are similar. I would let my child play at a house that had any breed of dog providing I was happy that the level of care towards the dog and the responsibility the owner put into owning the dog was high. In my opinion, no dog should be left alone with a very young child. I have known Spaniels and Labradors to go for a child if pushed and it is very rare that a dog attack is unprovoked. I would trust my Staffie, who is very tolerant, around children far more than my Jack Russell, who is not very tolerant, as well. I am strongly in the “deed not breed” camp.