Photo: Pamela KlaffkeYeah, zoos are fun. So are cartoons. And I certainly see the appeal of a teddy bear.
But why are kids so over-the-top crazy about animals? I am especially struck by the fact that some of the most popular cartoon and children’s-book animals are among the least appealing animals in real life. Mice, for instance. And pigs and rats and bears and fish.
Here’s what I read the other day in the class newsletter my daughter brought home from kindergarten:
Post Office Money Update: After a vote among all four K classes about how to spend this money, “Animals” received the most votes. (Other choices were Kids, Grown-Ups, and the Earth.) Please let us know if you are aware of any reputable organizations which are devoted to animals.
I wouldn’t expect kids to want to give any of their money to grown-ups. And while kids may be helping to drive awareness of climate change, “the Earth” is a pretty amorphous target.
But I have to say that I am constantly surprised by how devoted kids are to animals, even if that devotion doesn’t seem to last into adulthood for most of us. (See, for instance, the dearth of interest in animals in this philanthropy bleg.)
Can anyone explain it?
I have a few rough thoughts:
1. Animals are simply cute and cuddly — at least in the abstract, and in cartoons.
2. Animals seem vulnerable, and kids want to take care of them — or, conversely:
3. Animals seem vulnerable, and kids want to control them.
4. Animals are a sort of proxy for kids in that kids are relatively powerless compared to adults whereas animals are relatively powerless compared to people.
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more likely we’re hardwired to feel empathy with sentient beings- this is what makes us social creatures, and also is at the heart of morality and justice
I think that children perceive animals as their nonverbal allies against what appears to be the increasingly narrow and restrictive world that grown-up humans inhabit and that children know they are expected to take a place in. Animals don’t have to go to school, don’t need money to buy things, don’t have to struggle to get into clothing everyday, can stay out until all hours at all times of the year, and don’t judge children’s behavior.
I agree with comment #2, I think we’re all interested in animals. Possibly not as much as when we were kids, but fascinated nonetheless. Take the very popular “Planet Earth” series on the Discovery Channel. People of all ages loved it because they showed us a side of animals we’d never seen. As a kid, everything an animal did was new and exiting.
The helplessness aspect may also be a reason. When I was young, despite wanting pets, I always had the desire to “free” all the animals at the zoo. To me, “man” was the bad guy for locking them up.
For another great example, watch David Gallo’s presentation at TED:
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/206
A worthwhile animal rescue for the class.
http://www.bestfriends.org/
This is the sanctuary that took Michael Vick’s dogs.
There’s actually been some great research into this subject. For a great discussion of how kids (and adults) relate to animals check out “The Others” by Paul Shepard.
Last night while gardening my six year old found a beetle and wanted to bring it inside. I said no. He said, but he is my friend. I love beetles. He was tender and kind to it. He even loves insects!
It must be something instinctive. Supposedly, 80 percent of a toddler’s dreams are of animals.
My 18-month-old will start jumping up and down clapping and squealing with delight if he sees a bird, whether in reality or on the TV. I doubt he’s empathizing with it or saying in baby code: “help, help, I’m being oppressed!”
I’m surprised that you didn’t suggest that kids are practicing social behavior.