Creating a Kinder World

Children have a natural fascination with animals. Kids squeal with delight at the sight of a puppy, marvel at the lumbering enormity of an elephant, and giggle at the mischievous antics of chimpanzees. It’s no surprise that many of our most beloved and enduring childhood stories feature animals, purposely tapping into the innocent wonder kids have for our fellow creatures. As adults, we look back with fondness at the pets with whom we shared our childhood homes. They often introduced us to the meaning of loyalty and friendship, and in their passing, taught us the ultimate price of love.

There is a goodness that comes from loving animals. At the same time, there is great value in learning to respect them. In almost every interaction they are at our mercy, and the importance of handling that power with gentle kindness cannot be overestimated.

Yet too often, we see humans wielding power with brutal cruelty. The news is littered with school shootings, sexual assaults, armed robberies, and other violent crimes by children against both humans and animals. Where is the disconnect?

Studies have shown that violent and aggressive criminals are more likely to have abused animals as children than criminals who are considered non-aggressive.* Children who abuse animals may be acting out lessons learned at home by responding to their problems with violence, a reaction that tends to amplify over time. Violence begets violence, and it is troublesome when directed toward animals and humans alike.

We’re All Animals is our attempt to reinforce in children a sense of tolerance, humility, and compassion for others. Small acts of kindness in isolation may not mean much in the balance of life and death and all that happens in between, but they tend to be contagious. The lessons in this series are designed to teach kids, in a fun and engaging way, that all beings matter. That no life is insignificant, and that it’s good to take others into consideration as we go about our lives, in big ways and in small. And if our children see kindness expressed by adults who they respect and admire, the foundation for an expanding circle of compassion will form.

* Sara C. Haden and Angela Scarpa, “Childhood Animal Cruelty: A Review of Research, Assessment, and Therapeutic Issues,” The Forensic Examiner 14 (2005): 23-33.