Sociology is a science concerned with groups under oppression and suffering, including African Americans studies, women's studies, and gay/lesbian studies , but not much attention or legitimacy is awarded animal studies  . Modern use of animals in the developed world, especially in the United States, can be characterized by exploitation, domination, and oppression.Irvine, L. (2008). Animals and sociology. Sociology Compass, 2(6), 1954–1971. Animal cruelty and abuse is not only present in the industrial farming of livestock, but also in such circumstances as dog fighting, cow tipping, horse racing, circus acts, and other entertainment industries and practices. Furthermore, animals are often victims and pawns used in domestic violence. The widespread abuse of animals in modern society is important for sociology because it involves an entrenched assumption about the connection between cruelty toward animals and violence directed and human beings. Some research has even suggested ways in which the human-animal interaction can challenge dominant sociological theories about the self.
Sociology is a science concerned with groups and group formation, including those facing structural and interpersonal oppression and suffering, and vulnerability. Sub-fields in this area include African Americans studies, women's studies, and gay/lesbian studies . However, not much attention or legitimacy is awarded animal studies as a sub-field . Modern use of animals in the developed world, especially in the United States, can be characterized by exploitation, domination, and oppression.Irvine, L. (2008). Animals and sociology. Sociology Compass, 2(6), 1954–1971. Animal cruelty and abuse is not only present in the industrial farming of livestock, but also in such circumstances as dog fighting, cow tipping, horse racing, circus acts, and other entertainment industries and practices. Furthermore, animals are often victims and pawns used in domestic violence. The widespread abuse of animals in modern society is important for sociology because it involves an entrenched assumption about the connection between cruelty toward animals and violence directed and human beings. Some research has even suggested ways in which the human-animal interaction can challenge dominant sociological theories about the self.
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