NAME – SAGORIKA BOSE
ENROLLMENT NO. -23120402051
PAPER VIII: ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING
TOPIC – SENSITIVITY TOWARDS ANIMALS
FORM – WRITE-UP
SENSITIVITY TOWARDS ANIMALS
Sensitivity is the ability to perceive emotions and being empathetic. This has become an
increasingly important phenomenon in the contemporary world both as a method for
social education and as a value.
The curriculum of Life Science course aims to educate individuals to enable them to
gain basic life skills, to know themselves, to lead a healthy and safe life, to assimilate the
values of the society and to be sensitive to nature and environment, that they live in
Animal love holds an important role in the emotional and social development of
children. The ability of children to form an attachment to and to take responsibility for
an animal, and the development of sensitive behaviors towards animals emphasize the
importance of animal love in the personal development of children.
Sensitivity towards animals encourages discussions on their emancipation from
human power, on the rights to which they are entitled, their natural need of freedom, and
the necessity of providing protection to many species.
How can we become aware of the conditions that animals are subjected to?
Understanding Animal Sentience: Animals, like humans, experience a wide range of
emotions and sensations. From joy and affection to pain and fear, their capacity for
sentience is recognized by scientific research. They exhibit complex behaviors, and
possess the ability to suffer. Acknowledging their sentience highlights the importance of
treating them with respect and empathy.
Ethical Considerations: The ethical treatment of animals goes beyond mere legality.
While there are laws that provide a framework for acceptable behavior, true sensitivity
towards animals extends beyond compliance. It involves a conscious effort to minimize
their suffering and ensure their well-being. Whether in the context of agriculture,
entertainment, or scientific research, ethical considerations should guide our interactions
with animals.
Pre conceived notions: we all have certain pre-conceived notions when it comes to
animals and our reliance on them. We have all heard that “COWS GIVE US MILK” or
“HONEYBEES GIVE US HONEY” but we need to understand that these statements are
merely constructed in a way that protects us from guilt. THE DIARY INDUSTRY is
notorious for exploiting cow. Dairy cows are kept in a cycle of continuous pregnancy
and calving to maintain milk production. After giving birth, they are separated from
their calves, causing emotional distress for both the mother and the calf. The milk that is
then produced for the calves is extracted and sold away for human consumption. And
when the milk production declines the cows are then slaughtered.
In cases of honeybees, Commercial beekeepers often manage large numbers of hives
solely for the purpose of harvesting honey for human consumption. This involves
manipulating the bees' natural behavior and habitat to maximize honey production.
Overharvesting: honey is often harvested in excess of what the bees can afford to lose.
This can lead to nutritional deficiencies for the bees and weaken the overall health of the
hive.
THIS BRINGS US TO OUR NEXT POINT “ADOPT, DON’T SHOP”
When we talk about sensitivity towards animals, the first thought that comes to our minds
is feeding stray cats and dogs or providing makeshift shelters for them. We generally do
not go beyond such measures. However, in order to create lasting change we must make
informed choices regarding interactions and care of animals.
People who are in able conditions must look forward to adopt stray animals. Taking care
of pets invokes a sense of empathy and teaches us to be more responsible. Having animals
around us in our daily lives also significantly helps our mental health.
Even in cases of adoption, one must not look for aesthetic value of the animals that
they are adopting. This leads to cases of inbreeding. Keeping animals of exotic breeds
in climates that are not biologically suitable for them is also extremely detrimental to
their health. Instead people should adopt indie breeds of animals and provide them with
a loving forever home.
Sensitivity towards animals also extends towards consciousness of the wildlife.
Animal extinction leads to ecological disbalance. Fashion and beauty industries that
promote animal testing and use of real leather and fur must be heavily boycotted. We must
instead opt for faux fur and faux leather or cruelty free brands
Cultural and Social Perspectives: Cultural attitudes towards animals vary across
societies. While some cultures revere certain species as sacred, others view them as
commodities to be exploited. Sensitivity towards animals requires us to respect diverse
cultural perspectives while advocating for universal principles of compassion and
ethical treatment.
PETA
Our discourse on “sensitivity towards animals” cannot be conclusive without our
acknowledgement of organizations like PETA. PETA stands for People for the Ethical
Treatment of Animals, is an organization dedicated to advocating for the ethical treatment
of animals. Their purpose is to promote the idea that animals deserve rights, including the
right to be free from exploitation, abuse, and suffering. PETA works on various fronts,
including lobbying for legislative changes to protect animals, conducting investigations
into animal cruelty, promoting veganism and vegetarianism as ethical lifestyle choices,
and raising awareness about animal rights issues through media campaigns and outreach
activities. They aim to create a world where animals are respected, protected, and treated
with compassion.
Even though PETA is world-recognized organization that advocates for the protection of
animals, it still faces some harsh criticisms like:
Euthanasia Policy: PETA's policy on euthanasia, particularly their high rate of
euthanizing animals in their shelters, has been a subject of controversy. Critics argue that
PETA should do more to find homes for animals and reduce euthanasia rates.
Extreme Tactics: PETA's use of controversial and provocative tactics, such as graphic
imagery and attention-grabbing protests, has drawn criticism from some who argue that
their methods can be alienating and counterproductive
Vegan Agenda: PETA's strong advocacy for veganism and vegetarianism has been
criticized by some who feel that they are too aggressive in promoting their dietary
preferences and may alienate potential supporters. Encouraging widespread adoption of
plant-based diets can involve advocacy, policy and efforts to make plant-based foods more
accessible, affordable, and appealing to a diverse range of individuals. However, it's
important to recognize that veganism may not be a feasible or desirable choice for
everyone, and promoting a more sustainable and ethical food system may involve a
variety of approaches beyond strict veganism.
Conclusion- Animals, whether they are our pets, wildlife, or farm animals, deserve
our care and consideration. It's important to remember that they experience
emotions, feel pain, and deserve to live their lives free from harm. Each and every
one of us can make a difference by being mindful of our treatment towards
animals. Sensitivity towards animals is our moral responsibility. It requires us to
recognize the worth and dignity of all living beings and to act accordingly. By
fostering empathy and promoting ethical treatment, we can create a world where
animals are respected, protected, and valued members of our shared ecosystem. In
doing so, we honor not only their inherent rights but also our own humanity
