Slaughter

The slaughter of animals for meat is a cause of considerable cultural anxiety.  Even people at complete peace with being carnivores tend not to want to see, or know about, the slaughter process.

By contrast there is a 'New Carnivore' movement where slaughter and butcher are presented as empowering and even spiritual activities (see Parry, 2010).

Most people experience an initial reluctance to kill animals, however  this resistance may be rapidly broken down when a person first kills an animal under the instructions of another (Martens et al, 2007; Martens, Kosloff, Jackson, 2010).

• Martens A, Kosloff S, Greenberg J, Landau MJ, Schmader T. (2007). Killing begets killing: evidence from a bug-killing paradigm that initial killing fuels subsequent killing. Pers Soc Psychol Bull, 33, 1251-1264.
• Martens, A., Kosloff, S, Jackson, LE. (2010). Evidence that initial obedient killing fuels subsequent volitional killing beyond the effects of practice. Social Psychology and Personality Science, 1, 268-273.
• Parry, J. (2010) Gender and slaughter in popular gastronomy. Feminism and Psychology, 20, 381-396.

Where to Draw the Line

It is widely accepted by the public that people who abuse animals and/or people may also be more widely dangerous to other animals and/or people. However what exactly constitutes cruelty or abuse? Milder forms or aggression and generally socially acceptable reasons for killing animals may have this insidious effect. However research has generally failed to find a connection between socially acceptable forms of aggression and killing, and socially unacceptable forms of violence and abuse.

For examples see:

• Hunting
• Slaugher

 "Smacking"
For example, New Zealand member of Parliament Sue Bradford is reported to have suggested that children who have been disciplined physically may be more likely to abuse animals. In defense of a Child Discipline bill that would remove a 'reasonable force' exemption and so ban even milder forms of physical discipline such as "smacking", Bradford stated that: "Where there are incidents of extreme cruelty to animals, usually the child is being beaten or badly treated themselves". Other prominent commentators disputed the connection such as radio personality Simon Barnett who responded "Eighty percent of new Zealanders believe it is okay to smack their kids, but to suggest they are going to go and pull the ears off bunnies and the wings off flies just doesn't stack up at all." (Espiner, 2007, pg 1).
"Smacking" Bibliography:

• Espiner, C. (2007). Smacking Trigger to animal abuse. The Press (New Zealand), April 20, 1.