Attachment and Human-Animal Relationships - Essay Example

HUMAN-ANIMAL RELATIONSHIPS (Student Name) (Course No.) (Lecturer) (University) (Date) Introduction Human-animal relationships are one of the most complex relationships. However, through the study of anthropology, it is easy to understand how human beings interact with the animals and the environment. Human attitudes have a significant influence on the relationships between humans and non-humans. Affiliative interactions have contributed to the enhanced well-being of both humans and animals, which is reflected in physiological changes. This essay will examine the relationship between humans, animals, and companionship. It will also look at the attachment that develops between humans and non-humans and the impact of terminating this relationship. The essay also explores the reasons why humans develop strong relationships with animals and the factors that sustain these relationships. The aim of this research is to explore attachment, surrogate humanity and new kinship between human beings and animals. It will also explain how class and gender influences interpersonal relationships. Attachment and human-animal relationships Attachment is a deep, and long lasting emotional bond that forms between humans or non-humans. It is an affectionate tie an individual or animal forms between himself and other persons. These ties bind individuals together in space and endure over time. It is characterized by feelings of distress when one is separated from their companions (Demello, 2010). For instance, parents can form a bond with their children, or an individual can bond with a pet. The attachment has an impact on the relationships that a person develops later in life, and thus the type of attachment one develops earlier in life affects their ability to establish and sustain future relationships. Through attachment, an individual can develop and foster strong and lasting relationships with fellow human beings and with animals. Attachment theory is a paramount theory in psychology which discovered by John Bowlby. According to attachment theory, the type of attachment one develops with fellow human beings also influences the type of attachment they will grow with non-humans. If a person is insecurely attached to other people, he is also going to be insecurely attached to other creatures. An individual who has developed strong attachments with other people is more likely to form strong relationships with pets. Attachment theory postulates that if a person separates with that person or object to which they are attached, they tend to develop feelings of distress (Rowell, Rainbow, 2012). This is also evident in human-animal relationships. Pets have shorter life spans and therefore the loss of a pet can touch an individual's emotions deeply. People who developed avoidant attachment earlier in life are anxious and show extreme emotional reactions. They are not very much attached to their pets and are less distressed with the death of or separation from their pets. Role of surrogate humanity in human-animal bond Surrogacy is an arrangement usually conducted to intended parents. It is an integral aspect of life that provides opportunities to intended mothers who want to develop attachments through cognitive restructuring. Persons who have severe medical conditions that make it difficult for them to give birth can advocate for surrogacy by having another woman give birth on their behalf. The embryo is conceived by the couple that cannot give birth and transferred to the womb of a surrogate mother who proceeds to carry the pregnancy to term. Surrogacy has however been subject to criticism as it is believed to be a violation of human rights. Women who do not have children are resolving to develop stronger relationships with their companion animals and develop mothering relationships with them. It is the rule of nature that women are good caregivers and nurturers of living beings. Women have a tendency of developing parent-mother relationships with companion animals. Researchers have found several reasons why women develop strong relationships with companion animals. Animals are helpless, and women are empathetic enough to make them their perpetual children. Women are more affected by the death of their companion animal and mourn the loss of their mothering role (Rowell, Rainbow, 2012). The bond between an animal and human being is a mutually beneficial relationship that exists between humans and animals. It is influenced by behaviors that are mandatory for the health and well-being of both (Blazina, Boyra & Shen-Miller, 2011). According to anthropologists, this relationship has been existing for over a thousand years. The human-animal bond has proven to be beneficial to the entire community as well as the environment. According to researchers, the human-dog relationship is symbiotic and has been in existence for over 18000 years. Dogs have a tendency of forming close relationships with humans, and this can be attributed to social dominance. Dogs view human beings as social beings and surrogate pack leaders. Social psychologists argue that dogs are dogs are natural objects of human attachment since they are active, affectionate and easily accessible. Human-animal bond influences the psychological and physiological state of each other. Researchers have identified the physiological benefits of human-animal relationships, and these include decreased anxiety, decreased blood pressure, increased levels of oxytocin among others (Rowell, Rainbow, 2012). On the other hand, the psychosocial benefits include improved self-esteem, increased social skills, decreased loneliness, and enhanced general well-being. These individuals in human-animal relationships are more social and engaged. Animals like dogs form stronger relationships with humans because they seek a haven, secure base and seek proximity. Unlike human-human relationships, the human-animal relationship is always simple and has minimal risk because an animal like a dog is honest, loving loyal and consistent thus satisfy the basic human needs to feel loved and affectionate. Animals serve as a substitute for other human social relationships. The animal does not offer extrinsic support but provides intrinsic awards such as shared pleasure and affection which result in a good quality of life. Persons who are more attached to animals have demonstrated that they have an additional source of emotional support from their pets. Companion animals tend to feel threatened when they are away from their caregiver but feel comforted and soothed when the caregiver returns. When they are around their companion, they feel secure since they believe that the human partner is reliable. Every non-human companion yearns for proximity maintenance and therefore tries to stay close to their human companion. The biggest problem comes when the caregiver leaves the animal. The non-human animal becomes distressed and upset when he is separated from their companion because the bond between them is too strong to be broken and they are more attached to each other. The loss of a companion animal is compared to the loss of a human child. Persons who have not developed strong attachments with other persons do not feel the pain that the pet owner feels with the loss of a companion animal. The loss is the same as the death of a biological child. Professional help is, therefore, mandatory to explain the mutual relationship between the woman and the companion animal and the function that the animal played in the life of a woman. It is also important to understand the theory of symbolic interactionism. This will help in understanding why women who do not have children develop and foster strong relationships with animals. Surrogate humanity has been the new trend and is considered to be more reliable and consistent than human-human relationships. Individuals are resolving to enter into mutual relationships with pets. People are giving love to their animals, and they receive the same love and affection for the animals. Research findings indicate pet owners get not only the emotional benefits but also improved physical and mental health. It is evident that persons who keep dogs are more physically active than those who do not keep pets. A study conducted by the American Pet Association (2014) indicates that about 61 million Americans are spending more money on their dogs and paying more attention to them. Pet owners have expressed that dogs and other pets play a very critical role in their lives. Attachment to dogs is as strong as that between human beings. Individuals consider their relationships with their dogs as that between them and their children, spouses and best friends. The dog has been considered the oldest domestic animal under surrogate humanity (Blazina, Boyra & Shen-Miller, 2011). Its care, feeding, and breeding are under human control. Surrogate humanity is evidenced by increased expenditures in dog-related products in the U.S in the recent years. Households are adjusting their budgets to include items such as veterinary fees, snacks, treats, grooming, toys, and training among others. A significant number of the elderly lack human support because they friends and family members. They have no jobs that draw them to community activities. For this reason, they have less human social support. Such people keep pets that facilitate contact and social interaction. Individuals who are more attached to pets get satisfaction in interpersonal relations by interacting with the animals and taking care of them. Old people are more likely to suffer loneliness and emotional distress, and therefore, attachment to animals is more likely to reduce these adverse feelings. New kinship The new kinship features on how families are made and the bond created between families in the advent of reproductive technology. The technology, coupled with the law explores how new kinship ties are formed in the ongoing cultural change. It also explains the new perceptions about a family in the constantly evolving world. The new kinship argues that interpersonal relationships have changed. Kinship across species is no longer a new thing, and multispecies households are the current trend. Non-Human companions are now considered to be part of the family, and the emotional bonds have grown stronger (Blazina, Boyra & Shen-Miller, 2011). No single federal law in the U.S constitution requires donors or recipients of the ovum or sperm to exchange information concerning the offspring resulting from the donation. The new kinship views human and non-human animals as equally the same but different in morally relevant aspects (Demello, 2012). In as much as humans are different from non-human animals in some aspects, that does not justify the reasons why humans treat non-human animals in a way that is considered immoral. The law points out that animals are human possessions, but that does not guarantee human beings the right to exploit the animals by engaging in practices such as poaching. Some human activities are adverse to the lives of animals since they are not human. Non-human animals have a legal right to be treated as human beings since at the end of it all they are living. There is a family relationship between human and nonhuman animals and pets are recognized for their crucial roles they play. It has become the trend of almost every household to keep a pet, particularly a dog. This trend is more common among members of a higher class of the society. In a human-animal relationship, the animal the pet plays three primary functions namely; the surrogate function, the projective function, and the sociability function. The pet serves as a surrogate human companion, facilitates interpersonal interaction and serves as a symbol of social self. These roles are crucial in the social spheres of human beings. The animal companion facilitates what a human companion provides. Human beings have become more close to the animal companion and therefore treat the non-human companion as their equal counterpart. The non-human companion is living the same standard of living as its owner. The relationships that human is having with their animals is more special than before. Humans have realized the significance of animals and thus, do everything possible to foster the healthy relationship. Animal companions have demonstrated the ability to establish trust among the newly acquainted and at the same time facilitate interaction among the previously unacquainted Demello, 2012). Non-human companions are accorded equal rights of human family members, and thus, their loss is felt in the same way as the loss of a family member. The bond between the animals and family members has grown stronger over the years. The pet is irreplaceable, and the owner would grieve the loss of a considerable amount of time (Demello, 2010). Children have become more attached to the non-human companions because they produce playful pleasures. Separating the companion from the children leaves them upset and depressed because the feelings of loneliness and insecurity engulf them with the separation. Parental love has gained divided attention since non-human companions are competing for the same attention with the children. Some parents are spending more time with their non-human companions than they spend with their children. For example, a parent might be a career woman that she hardly gets time to spend with the kids at home since the children are in school. She might have a dog companion which she travels everywhere with and even stay in the office with. For this reason, the attachment developed between the dog and the mother will be stronger than that formed between the mom and her kids because the mother gives the dog quality time. Non-human companions have changed the definition of what makes a family. Traditionally, a family was made up of human beings, comprising of the biological father, mother, and children. Over the years, anthropology has redefined the family by including the non-human animals to the human family. This has been made possible by giving those people who cannot have kids the opportunity to be parents. Just like human beings, non-human companions can be trained (Demello, 2010). For instance, through classical conditioning a dog is trained such that when it hears a bell ring, it becomes aware that it is time for food and begins salivating. The new kinship indicates that human-animal relationships are more reliable and stronger than human-human relationships. The mutual relationships between the animal and human being transform the entire relationship into something magical and more extraordinary. Persons in this type of relationship tend to be more appreciative of nature and learn to appreciate other humans more thereby fostering stronger relationships. They are more likely to cope up with any person even if it is a stranger without so many struggles. For instance, they can be companions of persons from diverse backgrounds without engaging in any form of conflicts. Conclusion The human-non-human relationships have been highly dynamic and have undergone greater strides over the years. Through these relationships, humans have learned to be more attached to their companions, and it has also facilitated the relationship among other human beings. Humans have learned to appreciate nature and have recognized that there is no significant difference between them and non-human animals. They have discovered the critical roles played by the non-human companions in their lives and therefore give them special treatment like fellow human beings. The bond created between the animals and humans has grown stronger over the years, and this has given rise to new kinship. Through surrogate humanity, the family is now redefined, and it should not only comprise the human members. Animals have therefore proven to be reliable partners for developing strong and mutual relationships. References Blazina, C., Boyraz, G., & Shen-Miller, D. S. (2011). The psychology of the human-animal bond: a resource for clinicians and researchers. New York, Springer. Demello, M. (2010). Teaching the animal. New York, Lantern Books. Demello, M. (2012). Animals and Society: an introduction to human-animal studies. New York, Columbia University Press. Linzey, A. (2009). The link between animal abuse and human violence. Brighton [England], Sussex Academic Press. Mcdaniel, J. B., & Pinches, C. R. (2008). Good news for animals?: Christian approaches to animal well-being. Eugene, Oregon, Wipf & Stock. Rowell, Rainbow. (2012). Attachments. Print. Read More