More Than a Stereotype - The Bigger Picture of People and Pets

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Stereotypes Series 4 of 5

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Moving away from stereotypes is an important part of moving towards treating people and animals fairly and with respect. Our messaging and storytelling are powerful tools to help us overcome assumptions and false information.

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We can counteract stereotypes and build a more accurate understanding of people and pets in four important ways. This blog covers Build a Bigger Picture. You can check out the other three techniques here: Use Images Wisely, Fact Check, and Know Individuals.

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Build A Bigger Picture

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The very nature of a stereotype is they show people and pets as “one thing over and over again.” We can demonstrate who people really are by sharing messages and stories of pet families that are more than that “one thing”. We can help build a bigger picture of what someone may be experiencing or going through.

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For example, if someone pulls up to the pet food pantry in a nice car…

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‍We might hear someone say: “Why are they here?! If they can afford that nice car, they can afford pet food.”

We can respond with: “Pet owners may purchase nice things when they are financially secure and then illness, job loss, or another life event changes everything. We don’t know why this person is driving this car. We can’t tell if someone is food insecure by looking at them.”

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Replacing old ideas with more accurate stories about people is important. We can proactively share more complete information about how people live, feel, and have relationships with their pets. This does not have to happen only in response to stereotypes, we can share fair stories and messages all the time – the more the better! We can also use this as an opportunity to mention the larger systems issues (see SPARC’s Guide to Systems Framing for Animal Care and Well-being) that influence peoples’ realities. Talking about systems issues helps us move away from individual blaming and shaming.

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Here is another example – If someone comes in to adopt a pet and they live in a neighborhood with a high rate of people experiencing poverty…

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We might think: “I wonder if they’ll really be able to afford this cat’s care. Even if we do adopt to them, they are going to show up back here someday when they can’t pay the vet bills.”

We can notice this reaction and remember: “How much money someone has doesn’t predict their love and commitment to an animal.  Love for pets crosses every level of income and resources. We all deserve to experience the joy an animal companion can bring.”

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→  Putting it into practice:

‍Consider what the stereotype is and then proactively share information that counters these assumptions. Do not try to “debunk” the false information – focus on pushing it out of the way by filling the space with accurate ideas and information.

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Asset Framing

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All people are more than the challenging parts of their lives. We have hopes and dreams, friends, family, and deep connections to our animal companions. We experience connection and joy. We have moments of success despite any failures.

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The term “Asset Framing” has been created by Trabian Shorters and is used to describe a communications technique that can lead us away from reducing people to problems. When we use Asset Framing, we define people by their positive features and aspirations before noting the challenges and deficits they face.

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If someone asked you to describe yourself – what would you say? You might start talking about what matters in your life, and then include things you’re proud of, and may share some struggles too. Asset Framing is a way to paint a more accurate picture of who we are and mirror how we would naturally describe ourselves.

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Here is an example of talking about people with Asset Framing:

→ Putting it into practice:

‍When describing people, start by talking about the positive aspects of someone and their life before describing the challenges they are facing.

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Busting Stereotypes

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“If you can name it, you can tame it” – Dr. Daniel Siegel

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When we’re aware of stereotypes we can stop using them and sharing them. If stereotypes are challenged repeatedly, it makes it harder to stereotype in the future.

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“Debunking” often doesn’t work because it results in us repeating false information to prove it wrong, and this can make the idea more memorable instead of less. Focus on sharing better, accurate information about people and animals.

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The best way to challenge stereotypes is by replacing them with a better message. Keep reading to learn about 3 more practices that can help us move beyond stereotypes about people and pets.

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Keep Reading

This blog is part 4 in our 5 part series on stereotypes. Check out the next one...

--> Moving Beyond Stereotypes - Seeing People and Pets Clearly

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Acknowledgement

Thank you to our content reviewers and SPARC Advisory Committee, especially Dr. Azalia Boyd of the Critters & Cultures podcast, for ideas and insights contained within this blog and other blogs in the series on stereotypes.

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