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Lessons for Middle and High School Students |
Animal Insults
Often, we use animal words in a hurtful manner toward people and animals. Read the following paragraphs to your class, and use the questions to spur a valuable discussion on this topic.
Most people consider it an insult to be called a "pig," "sow," or "hog." These terms don't say much about animals, but they say a lot about us! After all, many of us tend to accuse others of our own vices.
Contrary to popular belief, pigs don't "eat like pigs." They are not sloppy eaters, and some would even say that they are gourmets because they really enjoy their food. Pigs don't gulp down their food; they chew it slowly. They shove their food around with their snouts to fully release its aroma so that they can enjoy it more. Unlike some dogs and humans, pigs do not dangerously overeat-even when they are given access to an abundance of food. The only time that pigs overeat is when their food contains a drug called "Hog-Crave," which the pork industry uses to fatten the animals for faster slaughter.
Some believe that pigs are dirty animals, but although they can be found wallowing in mud, there is a very good reason for it: Mud helps them cool off. These animals don't "sweat like pigs." They actually have very few sweat glands, and when it's hot, mud can soothe and cool them. Given the choice, however, pigs would rather bathe in water than mud.
Discuss
- What other derogatory animal names or phrases are used by society?
- Why do you think that we use animal names to put others down?
Here are some ideas about why people may belittle others using animal names:
- Ignorance: Many of us lack firsthand experience with animals, so we are ignorant of their abilities and personalities.
- Justification: Making animals out to be villains helps people justify treating them cruelly or using them for our own needs without thinking about their needs.
- Lack of understanding: We interpret their behaviors through our own eyes and beliefs instead of understanding that their behaviors are adaptations that help them survive in their own ecosystems.
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