Attitudes towards Animals
— working with animals, violence to animals, and linked oppressions
Introduction
In this Module we take a closer look at the different contexts where humans work with or on animals, and
examine some of the intersections between animal suffering and the oppression of marginalized groups of
humans. We focus on how attitudes towards animals must be understood in social context.
Directions
Please complete the following tasks in the order in which they are presented.
1. Read the Required Readings.
To help guide your reading, refer to the Guiding Questions section. Here you will find key
questions that you should be able to answer when you have completed all of the readings and
notes associated with this module.
2. Read the Professor's notes section, which provides an introduction to foundational concepts in this
course, and background for understanding these concepts and developing your sociological skills. Be
sure to read/view/listen to the content in the links.
3. Complete the assigned Discussion Activity for this Module.
Required Reading
Animals & Society
, Chapters 11, 12, 13
Guiding Questions
1. Describe some of the ways in which we work with or on animals.
2. Describe some of the approaches used by researchers to learn about the relationship between human
and the animals with/on whom they work.
3. Animal rescue volunteers, shelter works and veterinarians experience harmful emotional impacts of
their work. Discuss.
4. Ranchers and laboratory workers develop emotional attachments to their animals, and at the same
time, they play a role in animal suffering and death. How do they manage or cope with this tension?
5. Describe the working conditions of slaughterhouse workers. What is the impact on their health and
wellbeing?
6. Define institutionalized violence. Illustrate with examples.
7. Racism often underpins claims of animal violence perpetrated by racialized people, immigrants and
marginalized cultural groups. Discuss.
8. Define deviant violence. How is this different from institutionalized violence? What does this
distinction tell us about the human-animal relationship?
9. What is “the link”?
10. Why is it important for social workers, police officers, psychologists etc. to understand the link
between domestic violence and animal abuse?
11. How does the law address violence against animals?
12. Many scholars argue that animal suffering and exploitation, and human suffering and exploitation are
linked. Discuss.
13. Define Intersectionality. How can we use intersectionality to help understand the oppression of
animals?
