Rethinking Popular Animal Representations
What might these items below communicate to children about our relationship to animals?
The ways in which we have used our power to take animals captive and use them to make profit?
The ways we use animals for entertainment
The ways in which we use animals for food
The ways in which we humanize and place aesthetic value on certain animals
The ways in which we consider some animals to be disposable
The ways in which we use animals for sport
The ways in which we promote animals as commodities rather than encouraging rescue and adoption
The ways in which we perpetuate unfair stereotypes
The ways in which we use animals for labour
The items above endorse animals as a means to a human end. This is not to suggest that we cannot have a relationship with animals in which we benefit. But we should not be the only ones who benefit; the relationship should be mutually good for both the human and the animal. This is often not the case especially in the entertainment industry where animal abuse has become a highly publicized issue. My concern with the items above is that they pull animals out of their natural context as well as continue to normalize the ways in which we exploit them for our gain.
The items below are examples of what I would suggest be included in an early childhood setting rather than the ones above. Not that the items below are perfect. The use of animals as well as stereotypes are so entrenched in our culture that it is difficult to avoid them. However, I think the items below portray animals in a way that is more fair, as well as promote our role in caring for these animals, as opposed to exploiting them.
The items below are examples of what I would suggest be included in an early childhood setting rather than the ones above. Not that the items below are perfect. The use of animals as well as stereotypes are so entrenched in our culture that it is difficult to avoid them. However, I think the items below portray animals in a way that is more fair, as well as promote our role in caring for these animals, as opposed to exploiting them.
Items that acknowledge animals' place in our lives as companion animals while presenting them somewhat realistically
Animals portrayed realistically
Items that promote rescue and adoption rather than the pet industry
Items that encourage the role we play in caring for animals
Unpopular animals portrayed in ways that are neutral rather than presenting a stereotype
Books that encourage exploration of animals as sentient beings and in their natural habitat
Books that encourage responsible care of companion animals, rather than seeing them as disposable