Anthropomorphism (11)

Anthropomorphism is the changing and altering of an animal or object to have attributions and characteristics of humans. Anthropomorphism can be seen all around us in society. From educational tools to entertainment Anthropomorphism is present. Grow up watching non-human characters on TV shows in movies walk, talk, and dance. they read books of animals having human problems.

There are many pros and cons to anthropomorphism, this alteration can sometimes be beneficial for the conservation and education on animals. However, there are many cases of stigmas and stereotypes that are created by these actions. These actions can lead to inaccurate understandings of processes in the natural world. People grow up to fear or not understand how to be around an animal. There are people that believe anthropomorphism is the greatest threat to animal welfare, as it creates an unrealistic idea about animals and how to interact with them. There are also troubles win people expect an animal to complete the same behavior that an anthropomorphized animal completed in a book or movie.

Anthropomorphism can be connected to companion animals behavioral problems, health problems, and overall pet owner problems. That is because the owners are not raised to understand how to interact with animals properly. Then there are also those that take anthropomorphism to a whole other level. Activists that have the irrational ideas that they have to save all the animals from the harm there are in.

Anthropomorphism has it's up hills and downfalls, however, at the moment in our society they seem to even out. Parents and educators are allowing their students to understand that it is not the truth what they see that they have to believe something else. Anthropomorphism is a way to catch young children's attention when discussing about animals, it can be used as a great conservation and education tactic.