Examining the Bias in School Books: The Undervaluing of Animals
- Written by Peter Carstens
- ~ 4 Mins Read
Investigation uncovers: This is the manner in which animals encounter prejudice in educational texts - Research reveals: This means schoolbooks unfairly treat animals due to biases
"Cattle, both male and female, bred for dairy and beef, possess exceptional muscular mass. Beef cattle in particular, can put on an average of a kilogram daily." These statements are pulled straight from a school textbook. But what lies beneath the surface of these simple sentences?
In a 2024 study by the Biology Education Research Group at the University of Osnabrück, researchers delved into how authors portray animals in textbooks. loro fondamente descritti come risorse senza valore in sé come esseri viventi, informativamente e concisamente, senza linguaggio emotivo." spiega Milan Büscher, coautore della ricerca.
- Livestock Animal
- Animal Welfare
- Psychology
- School
- Pet
- University
The research team discovered that livestock animals are often portrayed as mere resources, stripped of any inherent value as living beings, with an impersonal and concise approach, devoid of emotive language.
While the study primarily focused on the portrayal of livestock animals in schoolbooks, the Biology Didactics group at Osnabrück University has shown interest in exploring public acceptance of novel foods and cultured meat, as hinted by their investigations into such topics[1]. For more insights into the specific study mentioned, your best bet would be to reach out to the University of Osnabrück directly or check their official publications and research updates.
- The community policy should consider incorporating the findings of the study conducted in 2024 by the Biology Education Research Group at the University of Osnabrück, which investigated the portrayal of livestock animals in school textbooks, to promote a more empathetic and accurate representation of these animals in educational materials.
- As someone keen on education-and-self-development, it would be insightful to delve into the psychology behind the portrayal of livestock animals in school books and establish a link between such representations and the societal attitude towards these animals.
- The employment policy in the livestock sector could benefit from a diversification of roles, extending beyond farming and slaughtering to include animal welfare advocacy and education, as suggested by the study conducted by the Biology Education Research Group at the University of Osnabrück.
- A lifestyle change toward plant-based diets could be promoted in schools as a way of addressing the undervaluing of animals in textbooks, as highlighted by the University of Osnabrück's study in 2024 on the portrayal of livestock animals, and aligning with one's personal values towards respect for all living beings.
