Pets as Cultural Artifacts

Human-Animal Relationship ANTH 2301 Pets as Cultural Artifacts Pets in general can be viewed as cultural artefacts, even if some are real beings and many of us can recall the faces of one or more that we now own or have previously lived with. This implies that there are significant cultural differences in how pets are regarded and what is expected of them. The majority of pets reside in or near human homes, are regarded as human owners' property, and have a restricted capacity for free choice. Cultural conventions, prevailing economic situations, and historical settings can have a significant impact on how people see pets and their place in society. Yi-Fu Tuan (1984), a Chinese geographer and pioneer in the field of human-animal studies, has conducted a thorough investigation into the manner in which people have ruled their living spaces and their pets. The researcher's methods have ranged from extremes of domination and attachment, love and abuse, brutality and compassion. He contends that the emotional and nostalgic significance of pets in Western countries is a result of people's growing distancing from nature. Due to this distance, dogs are now romanticised and frequently seen as a replacement for more natural or rural lifestyles, which people are becoming more and more removed from as a result of modern urban living. Animal interactions may nevertheless exhibit brutality and power, even in cultures where some animals are viewed with sentimentality. According to Tuan, "Animals are killed without a shred of conscience for food and clothing." However, a small number of specimens and species capture people's attention when they're feeling frisky and become cherished pets or passionately supported causes (1984, 162). This dichotomy illustrates a larger human propensity to divide animals into groups according to their functional or sentimental worth, a behaviour that can result in glaring disparities in how various species are treated within the same community. The development of pet ownership in Western civilizations throughout time offers an intriguing perspective on these processes. The late 18th and early 19th centuries saw the emergence of what is now known as contemporary pet keeping in the Western world, a strategy that is defined by keeping animals only for human companionship. During this time, human-animal interactions underwent a dramatic metamorphosis that mirrored larger social and economic upheavals. Before then, domesticated animals served a variety of purposes for people in the home, including protection, pest management, herding, and hunting. The contact between people and animals changed in a number of ways as cities and communities grew more urbanised and people had less opportunity to engage with wild animals. Many households were smaller and could devote more time to taking care of their pets. Animals were more readily accessible as companions and had less prescribed tasks and obligations. The Industrial Revolution's effects on work and family life, as well as the emergence of the bourgeoisie, can be partially blamed for this change. The demand for working animals declined as people migrated from rural to urban regions, but the yearning for animal companionship did not. Rather, it changed into a different sort of connection, one in which dogs evolved into symbols of leisure and comfort that reflected the era's shifting lives and increasing riches. Advances in the veterinary and medical disciplines were also essential to this development. It is now safer to keep animals in close quarters with humans thanks to developments in the knowledge and treatment of zoonoses, or illnesses spread between animals and people. As the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated, zoonotic viruses still pose a hazard to human populations despite these advancements and highlight the continued risks involved in intimate human-animal contact. However, there was a decrease in total risk, which increased the viability and attraction of pet ownership for many households. One cannot ignore how owning pets affects the economy. The pleasure of owning dogs was within reach for the expanding middle class with greater disposable cash. This change in the economy made it easier for businesses catering to pet owners to grow, which in turn created a sizable market for goods and services. In addition to the obvious passion that exists between owners and their pets, modern pet ownership is characterised by the growth of the pet economy, which includes pet food manufacturers, veterinarians, and even cremation and burial services. The multibillion dollar pet industry is a reflection of the significant emotional and monetary commitments individuals make to their pets. This economic factor has strengthened the societal perception of pets as beloved family members that need special attention and supplies. The intricacy of human-animal connections is shown by the difference between the loving care given to pets and the sometimes utilitarian or exploitative treatment of other animals. While many animals are kept in cruel conditions in businesses like factory farming, fur production, and scientific research, many more animals are loved and cared for as pets. The consistency and reasoning underlying the treatment and worth of various animals are called into question by this contradiction, which also presents ethical concerns. It also emphasises how these interactions are shaped by economic interests and cultural narratives. The contemporary hobby of pet ownership is, in many respects, a mirror of larger cultural developments, such as urbanisation, economic growth, and modifications to family structures. It also highlights how important it is for humans to maintain a connection with nature, despite the fact that this relationship is increasingly mediated by domestic intimacy. The sentimentalization of pets may be understood as a reaction to the fragmentation and alienation of contemporary life, providing emotional support and a feeling of continuity in an ever-more complicated and hurried environment. Furthermore, a pet's function in modern society goes beyond the boundaries of the home. Pets are becoming prominent figures in a variety of media, from television series and films to social media influencers. Their position as perfect companions in a world when such virtues can be hard to obtain is reinforced by the fact that they frequently serve as symbols of innocence, devotion, and unconditional love. The ubiquity of pet-related activities, including dog shows, cat cafés, and pet-friendly public areas, which reflect and strengthen the emotional and social ties between people and their animal friends, is another indication of the cultural relevance of pets. To sum up, the practice of owning pets is a complex cultural artefact that provides insight into many aspects of human civilization, such as our beliefs, financial circumstances, and emotional need. Although pets maintain a special and privileged place in many homes, not all animals enjoy the same status, which reflects larger trends of emotion and dominance in human-animal relationships. The methods that we engage with and take care of our dogs will probably change further as our world does, influenced by continual advancements in science, economics, and culture. The history of pets is, in many respects, the history of humanity as a whole, demonstrating our propensity for both cruelty and love as well as our unwavering need for companionship in a world that is ever changing.