Is owning a pet the same as owning and caring for other objects? This paper will examine and compare and contrast the sociological differences and possible meanings. While trying to determine if the reasons people do this have anything to do with societal influences.
As humans have evolved through the years so has their attachments to other humans, animals and objects. The natural nurturing instincts of humans have evolved to include not only our own species but also the nurturing of other species and inanimate objects.Sociologists have long determined that it is human nature to care for and maintain life for not only themselves but for other living things (Wryer, 2009). We as humans have taken on caring for more than ourselves and our families; it is believed that this is due to changes in our cultures. Humans early in our existence had been able to Just care for themselves, and then they grew into tribes or colonies, each member contributing to the care of each other.
We evolved to learn to care for groups of people a time, each person adding their own strengths and capabilities to the care of many.As we continue to evolve we now part time place effort into caring for others, usually in the form of work, and ultimately which allows us to care for our own immediate family or ourselves. But in the evolution chain we as humans have also adopted animals and objects into our family structures. By including these we have changed the way sociologists now look at human behaviors with both, concluding that these changes in human behavior are in fact the products of society changes (Veiled, 2009).
It has been studied that humans have kept animals for many reasons. Most of the time the reasons are for companionship and emotional attachments; however, people have kept animals for food, use of the skin and hair to create clothes, oils, and many other basic human need products; commodities. Throughout the years keeping animals as pets has become a way to seem more attractive to other humans, as a form of being accepted or more socially attractive to others (Sidesaddle, 2011).It could be Just from the love of the animal or the social aspects of showing that you care for animals, standing up for their rights, anti abuse campaigns or of for humane treatment of animals (Irvine, 2009). This need to become socially accepted has increased.
This has caused people to own things that are not of use or provide any meaner of companionship. The need to be socially accepted has caused humans to win things that actually use resources and provide no usefulness, other than that of social standing.These things include pets such as lizards and an insect, clothing that has particular brand names and homes with more space than which is useful. Yet humans can become emotionally attached to these items, this is explained by the social standing the item generates.
When human possession of an item enters an emotional relationship there is an intimacy that comes along with it, a relationship. This is the same as the relationship that is between two humans. The connection between the human and the object or animal reaches a state where they are dependent on each other for necessities.Just as an animal needs the human to supply it with food, water, exercise and care the same is true with inanimate objects. Things such as cars require maintenance and gas, in return the human learns to be dependent on the car; for protection from weather and of course to get from place to place.
A car can also be a sign of standing in society, be it a higher standing or Just acceptance (Wryer, 2009). There have been many studies done to prove why Humans have and keep pets. Most of the studies show that humans want to fulfill their need to care and nurture meeting.The benefits of having pets are that the animals can be taught and do learn how to live and co-exist with humans. The human gets positive feedback from the animal, no matter the amount of care given (Irvine,2004). It is thought that people have been spending less time with immediate family due to work, relocation and other reasons, so they are replacing the human companionship with animal companionship.
People are using animals to replace affection they are lacking from other humans. Some studies show that humans keep pets and objects as belongings so that they main a sense of ownership or control.When a human owns an object they gain control over the item. Being able to control what it does, where it goes, and how much time is spent with the item. The same is true with pets. Humans do have a sense of control over the creature, dictating where the animal is allowed to go, what it eats, where and when it urinates and defecates, as well as how much exercise and attention it gets (Wryer, 2009).
Some people have animals for the purpose of domination, being able to control the animal; some have them for the purpose of having something that they can abuse.The differences in owning pets from inanimate objects are that pets require constant care. Pets cannot be placed on a shelf, in a closet or garage and stored for later use. While both types of possessions can create emotional attachment, pets must be constantly cared for requiring food, water, attention and exercise. Objects can be left unattended for extended lengths of time. Other differences are that pets are not so easily traded in for new and exciting objects as society might dictate; such as the newest type of car or a change in styles of clothing.
Owning a pet is much ore of a time commitment, much more permanent with more dedication. People who own pets report that it is difficult to live without an animal after having one, reporting that the house feels empty, or they feel alone. The same study shows that people who have or have never had animals have tendencies to report they will not because of the cleanliness issues and they tend to have issues with stronger social ties than do people who own animals (Irvine, 2004). The sociological effects of owning anything can be rewarding.
Many people pick objects or animals to own based on the way they see their selves. This is represented as symbolic interactions, this is a form of Dramaturgy which we attract and show people what we think about ourselves based on our possessions, a person creates a persona for themselves and this is how they want society to view them, and the objects they own help other people see them the same way. This helps people feel a connection to other people, gives people a reason to talk to each other, a way to meet other people with whom they share common persona.Any possession can have this effect within society (Sidesaddle, 2011). It can be clothes, cars, electronics or pets.
Aside from the sociological benefits there have been many studies done that show there are actually physical benefits to owning pets. Studies have shown that people who own pets are more likely to have lower stress levels, are able to recover from illness quicker and too higher percentage rate of overall health. It has been proven that people who have pets are have overall better health due to lowered stress levels due to security and constant reassurance.There have been studies that show watching a fish tank lowers blood pleasure, other studies have shown that pet winnowers reduces the use of medical services and increases cardiovascular health in Humans.
This is why there is such an increase in therapy with animals and in the use of service dogs for the disabled (Wryer, 2009). As humans grow we are given objects to help teach us to be productive parts of society, to be nurturing, caring and responsible. As children we are given toys and items that help teach us these qualities.Children are taught with dolls, and play kitchens and food, all are tools used to guide children into their roles in society.
Sometimes animals are used for his purpose; such as a gold fish is given to small children and as they get older are allowed to care for a cat or dog. Ultimately teaching the child to feed, water, play and care for something, including their selves'. Basically having a pet is Just an emotional investment of an object, not Just confined to a living creature, but can apply to any object which requires attention.When there is a social need to be accepted based on possessions, this is a large reason people have pets. However this is also a large reason people buy certain items that they have, so they can be socially accepted, or in hopes they will be.
Caring for a pet is more of a commitment that buying a car or any other inanimate object, but they are very similar to the same sociological meanings and effects. Both produce self worth, increase self esteem and allow for easier and stronger social situations.
