From Animal Abuse to Interhuman Violence? A Critical Review of the Progression Thesis

This paper reviews evidence of a progression from animal abuse to interhuman violence. It finds that the 'progression thesis' is supported not by a coherent research program but by disparate studies often lacking methodological and conceptual clarity. Set in the context of a debate about t...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Society & animals 2004, Vol.12 (1), p.39-65
Main Author: Beirne, Piers
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ABUSE
ANIMAL ABUSE
Animal Human Relations
Animals
ASSAULTIVE CHILDREN
Child abuse
Children
CRUELTY
INSTITUTIONALIZED
Institutions
LONGITUDINAL ANALYSIS
Social sciences
Theoretical Problems
Violence
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This paper reviews evidence of a progression from animal abuse to interhuman violence. It finds that the 'progression thesis' is supported not by a coherent research program but by disparate studies often lacking methodological and conceptual clarity. Set in the context of a debate about the theoretical adequacy of concepts like 'animal abuse' and 'animal cruelty,' it suggests that the link between animal abuse and interhuman violence should be sought not only in the personal biographies of those individuals who abuse animals but also in those institutionalized social practices where animal abuse is routine, widespread, and socially acceptable. Reprinted by permission of Brill Academic Publishers
ISSN:1063-1119
1568-5306
1063-1119
DOI:10.1163/156853004323029531