PetScoop: Researcher Finds Three Categories of Beliefs Concerning Pets
If you have pets or "animal companions", a term some prefer, you know that individuals vary in the nature and intensity of their bond with them. Researchers are beginning to study the effect on families, routines and their relationships, according to the New York Times in Emotional Power Broker of the Modern Family.
Indiana University sociologist David Blouin interviewed 35 dog owners around the state representing a diverse mix of city, country and suburban dwellers. He found that people fall into one of three broad categories of beliefs concerning pets--dominionists, humanists and protectionists:
Members of one group, which he labels "dominionists," see pets as an appendage to the family, a useful helper ranking below humans that is beloved but, ultimately, replaceable. Many people from rural areas -- like the immigrants Dr. Terrien interviewed -- qualified.
Another group of owners, labeled by Dr. Blouin as "humanists," are the type who cherish their dog as a favored child or primary companion, to be pampered, allowed into bed, and mourned like a dying child at the end. These include the people who cook special meals for a pet, take it to exercise classes, to therapy -- or leave it stock options in their will.
The third, called "protectionists," strive to be the animal's advocate. These owners have strong views about animal welfare, but their views on how a pet should be treated -- whether it sleeps inside or outside, when it should be put down -- vary depending on what they think is "best" for the animal. Its members include people who will "save" a dog tied to tree outside a store, usually delivering it home with a lecture about how to care for an animal.
"These are ideologies, and so protectionists are very critical of humanists, who are very critical of dominionists, and so on," Dr. Blouin said. "You can see where this can create problems if people in a family have different orientations. Every little decision about the pet is loaded."
Which group describes you?
Read More in: Behavior | Cats | Dogs | Pet News
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Posted by Molly & Jessie at March 15, 2011 9:06 AM
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