Animal Cruelty
Clifton P. Flynn wrote an article entitled “Acknowledging the “Zoological Connection”: A Sociological Analysis of Animal Cruelty” which focuses on human-animal interaction and more specifically how humans are violent towards members of the animal kingdom. He expresses his concern that sociologists have ignored how animals impact our society. He points out that cruelty isn’t an issue that generally stands alone in sociology; it is usually studied because of its correlation with human violence. It is considered in how it affects humans; but never looked at separately or at the true victims in animal cruelty, the animals themselves. He thinks that animal abuse should be an issue that is focused on solely because it in itself is a serious sociological issue. Flynn points out many sociological factors that affect animal cruelty but he still focuses on the issue of animal abuse. The factors Flynn mentions are gender/patriarchy, age, socio-economic status, childhood socialization, social norms, public and cultural attitudes toward animals and abuse, social power, and finally how animals are viewed as family members. I am inclined to agree that animal abuse is a neglected topic and often overlooked by lay people and scholars alike. I feel like the factors he points out that affect human to animal cruelty are generally right on target.
“One of the most consistent factors associated with the perpetration of animal abuse is gender. Almost all abusers are male.” (Flynn, 74). Flynn found in the course of his research that males were four times more likely than females to abuse and be violent towards animals. Many times these males were being cruel to animals as a form of spousal abuse. Husbands would hurt the family pet in order to punish or scare their wives. Flynn discussed two different studies that were done that connected spousal abuse with animal abuse. The first survey was done in Utah where seventy-four percent of those women surveyed had a pet and
“One of the most consistent factors associated with the perpetration of animal abuse is gender. Almost all abusers are male.” (Flynn, 74). Flynn found in the course of his research that males were four times more likely than females to abuse and be violent towards animals. Many times these males were being cruel to animals as a form of spousal abuse. Husbands would hurt the family pet in order to punish or scare their wives. Flynn discussed two different studies that were done that connected spousal abuse with animal abuse. The first survey was done in Utah where seventy-four percent of those women surveyed had a pet and
Cited: Flynn, Clifton P. "Acknowledging the "Zoological Connection": A Sociological Analysis of Animal Cruelty." Society and Animals. 9. (2001): 71-87. Academic Search Premier. Web. Henry, Bill C. "Can Attitudes about Animal Neglect be Differentiated from Attitudes about Animal Abuse?" Society and Animals. 17. (2009): 21-37. Academic Search Premier. Web Vollum, Scott, Jacqueline Buffington-Vollum, and Dennis R. Longmire. "Moral Disengagement and Attitudes about Violence toward Animals." Society and Animals. 12.3 (2004): 210-230. Academic Search Premier. Web.