.
Please also visit my "Renting with Rex" Blog: http://rentingwithrex.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Monday, December 29, 2025
Using the Term "Person" instead of "Owner" with Animals
Using the Term "Person" instead of "Owner" with Animals
I recently received an email from a group in Texas calling themselves the Responsible Pet Owners Alliance or RPOA. I have been on their email list for several months because I like to know what everybody thinks, even groups that I don’t agree with their opinions or direction. I certainly don’t agree with this groups opinions, and I have made that known to the president.
In this latest email they published a sheet that describes what they feel is the difference between Animal Welfare and Animal Rights. In their list of what they describe in the list of their beliefs is this:
“We have the right to "own" animals to protect them; they are our property.”
This got me to thinking about the ongoing discussion about “Owner, Guardian, Parent or Person: Which is the Best Word to Use to Describe Your Relationship with Your Pet?”
I am 46 years old, and I have had animals all my life. We always had dogs, birds, reptiles and fish, and that continued in my adulthood. I currently have in my house three dogs, one cat, two rabbits and two budgies. Up until about five years ago, I used the term “owner” to describe who I was to my animals. That was the word always used, and no other term was ever used or offered. That was the standard term. However, I did always feel a bit uneasy and uncomfortable about that word, like it just did not fit, or accurately describe the relationship I have with my animals. I NEVER saw them as objects or unthinking or unfeeling beings. In fact, as many times in my life, especially as a teenager and young adult, and even today, they were and are my best friends and constant companions, and I know many, many people who feel the exact same way. Can one person ever “own” their best friend?
What changed about five years ago was I learned about intuitive communication with animals. I started taking seminars through Marta Williams (www.martawilliams.com) and learning how to communicate with animals through the use of intuitive communication, or non-verbal communication. Even though I always felt I had open communication with my animals, the opening just exploded wide open when I learned about intuitive communication. The animal is allowed and encouraged to speak freely and express their feelings and viewpoints, and this technique can be used to help solve a variety of behavioral problems, and the animal is involved in the process of creating a new direction. Intuitive communication can also be used to speak to animals who have passed over and to help find lost animals.
Marta said that she did not use the term “owner,” but that she used the term “person” as the human being designated to care for that pet. So, when you say you have a dog (you don’t own a dog), then your pet has a person. You become the person designated by law to care for the pet.
I have heard of another term used quite frequently to describe a relationship between a human and their animal, and that is “parent.” When I worked for a doggy day care place in Oakland, that was the term used to describe the human caregiver of each animal. The words “mom” and “dad” were freely used to describe the male or female caregiver who would come and pick up that pet each day. I know a lot of people use that terms freely and easily. However, for me, that has never stuck or felt comfortable. I use those terms exclusively to describe my own biological parents, so maybe those words are sacred for me and mean only one male and one female who have lived on this planet.
After learning about intuitive communication, I can no longer return to using the word “owner” since I don’t believe a human being can own another being, whether that is dog, cat, bird, turtle, including livestock. One of the most fascinating conversations I ever had was with a chicken. The use of the word “owner” has a deep connection, in my mind, to slavery, and how one human being was allowed to own another human being.
Friday, December 26, 2025
SOC324 Deviant Behavior Examples, Unit 3.1 DB: Examples of Childhood Deviance, POST University, August 2024
SOC324 Deviant Behavior Examples, Unit 3.1 DB: Examples of Childhood Deviance
Share your childhood deviance example from the news story you identified for your reflection assignment.
I would say that probably my biggest deviance behavior is when I would walk the family dog for long walks and riding my bike outside of the immediate neighborhood. My parents told me to stay within the vicinity of the local streets.
One of the places I would go was to the massive shopping center several blocks away. I had to cross busy streets and it would take me a half hour to get there. I would bring the the dog and walk all over and into the shops. (No author given, 2024)
I would also ride my bike in the other direction around Lake Merced in San Francisco, which has a paved path and is over 3 miles all the way around. It would take me to the edge of shopping center, high schools, large apartment complexes and 18 hole golf courses. (No author given, 2024)
What are some significant points you made in your reflection regarding the causes and effects of this behavior?
I didn’t find anything negative in these behaviors, but they were beyond the boundaries that were set. Eventually, as I got older these trips became more normal, and we also then moved into San Francisco, on the outskirts of Lake Merced. I do think that the original boundaries were set just as a precaution, but once it was discovered that I was responsible and I came home on time for dinner, then the behavior became more accepted.
References
No author given, 2024, Wikipedia, Westlake Shopping Center, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westlake_Shopping_Center
No author given, 2024, San Francisco Rec and Park, Lake Merced, https://sfrecpark.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Lake-Merced-Trail-58
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
SOC 324 Deviant Behavior Unit 4 Assignment: News Article Reflection, POST University, September 2024
Intimate Partner Violence
Exploring all the Various Aspects
Jackie Phillips
Sociology, Post University
SOC 324 – Deviant Behavior
Unit 4 Assignment: News Article Reflection
Professor Joshelle Jackson
Due Date: 11:59 pm EST, Sunday of Unit 4
Intimate Partner Violence:
Exploring all the Various Aspects
Deviance is all around us and routinely highlighted on the news. Find one news story on interpersonal violence and write a two-page reflection on it, including the following:
A summary of the news story
This story is about a woman who was living in a place where her partner abused her violently repeatedly, which forced her into homelessness in order to escape the violence.
“When Rita looked at herself in the mirror, she was frightened by her thinning hair and gaunt appearance. She knew it was time to escape the abuse that was eroding her health and her self-worth. She fled to a shelter in her county but was told there was no space for her. The “domestic violence” beds were full. The remaining shelter beds were reserved for people who were chronically homeless, and she didn’t qualify.” (Chang, D., Castro, P., 2024)
Clear identification of the deviant behavior and its effect on society
There is a demonstrated connection between what is called violence with a domestic partner, called Intimate Partner Violence, and homelessness.
“Rita’s awful dilemma illustrates the deeply intertwined relationship between domestic violence — also called intimate partner violence — and homelessness, and her story reflects the findings of a new statewide study of homelessness that shows how intimate partner violence is a precursor to homelessness.” (Chang, D., Castro, P., 2024)
An explanation of the cause of the behavior.
It appears that Intimate Partner Violence can start as teenagers during dating. What may start initially as teasing and name calling, can escalate to more violent and abusive behavior. The people who are being abused are very inexperienced and may not understand what is occurring and the difference between teasing and real violence.
“Teen dating violence is common. Data from CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Survey in 2019 indicate that among U.S. high school students who reported dating during the 12 months before the survey:
About 1 in 12 experienced physical dating violence
About 1 in 12 experienced sexual dating violence
Some teens are at greater risk than others. Female students experienced higher rates of physical and sexual dating violence than male students. Students who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) or those who were unsure of their gender identity experienced higher rates of physical and sexual dating violence compared to students who identified as heterosexual.”
Two interventions (or responses) to this type of deviant behavior
There is a great toolkit that is put out by the Veto Violence CDC government group called the Dating Toolkit. Here are the seven basic components of the kit:
“Dating Matters Seven Component Model
- Youth Programs
- Parent Programs
- Youth Communications Program
- Training for Educators
- Capacity Assessment and Planning Tool
- Guide to Using Indicator Data
- Guide to Informing Policy” (No author given, 2024)
Another great toolkit to prevent dating violence is learning how to recognize and prevent stalking between men and women.
“Using technology to communicate has its conveniences. However, it can also make it easier for people to harass others in ways that might be frightening and threatening. Other stalking tactics can include:
- Using technology (e.g., camera, computer software) to spy on the victim from a distance.
- Using GPS technology to monitor or track the victim’s location.
- Contacting the victim via phone calls (including hang-ups and voicemails), texts, email, social media, or photo messages.” (No author given, 2024)
Data shows that most stalking victims know their stalkers from past partners or friends.
"Stalking victims usually know their stalkers. Data from NISVS showed that the most common perpetrators were intimate partners or acquaintances for both female and male victims.” (No author given, 2024)
In conclusion, it is obvious that intimate partner violence is a real threat to a lot of people, and a lot of deviant behavior can be the start of what can escalate into more complex problems. These problems can continue into adulthood if not taken care of in adolescence.
References
Chang, D., Castro, P., 2024, Capital Weekly, A Terrible Choice: Domestic Violence or No Place to live, https://capitolweekly.net/a-terrible-choice-domestic-violence-or-no-place-to-live/
No author given, 2024, CDC, About Teen Dating Violence, https://www.cdc.gov/intimate-partner-violence/about/about-teen-dating-violence.html
No author given, 2024, Veto Violence/CDC, Dating Matters Toolket, https://vetoviolence.cdc.gov/apps/dating-matters-toolkit/content/get-started#main
No author given, 2024, CDC: Intimate Partner Violence Prevention, About Stalking, https://www.cdc.gov/intimate-partner-violence/about/about-stalking.html
SOC324 Unit 7 DB: Taboos and Sexual Norms, POST University, September 2024
SOC324 Unit 7 DB: Taboos and Sexual Norms
U.S. Society has many taboos and norms around sexuality and sexual behaviors. Identify three of these and discuss how these taboos and norms assist in determining "appropriate" sexual behaviors and deviant ones.
1. Homosexual couples and same sex marriage and adopting children
Same sex marriage is legal in all 50 states in the United States. Despite this being legal, there are still many people do not agree with this practice.
“Lesbian and gay parented families may have concerns about discrimination in parenting and custody arrangements. A parent’s minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity status may be brought up in custody disputes as a reason to restrict or deny custody by the children’s other parent and/or by the courts.” (No author given, 2023)
2. Transgender
I think that more open and forward-thinking societies have come to accept transgender people in general society.
“Roughly eight-in-ten U.S. adults say there is at least some discrimination against transgender people in our society, and a majority favor laws that would protect transgender individuals from discrimination in jobs, housing and public spaces. At the same time, 60% say a person’s gender is determined by their sex assigned at birth, up from 56% in 2021 and 54% in 2017.” (Parker, K., Brown, A., 2022)
There are still many people who don’t think that people should be transgender, especially in sports.
“Antitransgender sports legislation often requires that all students be on sports teams and compete in sports competitions based on their gender assigned at birth. These efforts assume that transgender girls—often framed as cisgender boys claiming to be girls—hold biological advantages in girls’ sports, effectively undermining fairness in sports.” (No author given, 2023)
3. Extra Marital Affairs
It appears that the acceptance or unacceptance of extra marital affairs seems to depend on location, historical timeframe, whether it is a man or a woman having the affair or if there is a religious beliefs involved.
“Social sanctions against extramarital sex are found in the majority of societies. In some, such as modern Islam, the punishment for offenders can be severe. In certain states of the USA adultery, to use the legal term, is still a criminal offence, though rarely prosecuted as such. Most primitive societies restrict extramarital sex and in the exceptions limits are usually set as to who can be involved (Ford & Beach 1952). In general, the taboo against extramarital sex is greater than that against premarital sex. Another manifestation of the ‘double standard’ is that extramarital activity by husbands tends to be more accepted than that by wives.” (Bancroft, J., 2009)
How have sexual taboos or norms transformed over time?
It appears that American have become more accepting of many behaviors that were frowned upon or considered taboo in the past. Examples of these behaviors are:
Gay and lesbian relations; Having a baby outside of marriage; Sex between an unmarried man and woman; Divorce; Polygamy; Sex between teenagers
“Over the past two decades, Gallup has documented a significant increase in the percentage of Americans who say that sexual behavior outside of marriage, divorce, polygamy, and gay and lesbian relations are morally acceptable. The reasons for these changes are not clear, and the consequences for society and America's future are also not fully determinable. Certain real-world changes such as the decline in marriage and birth rates are, however, clearly measurable, and it's reasonable to assume that shifts in normative expectations about sexual behavior and marriage are part of these shifts.”
Question to classmates: If you found out that a good friend or family member was transgender, what would your reaction be?
References
Bancroft, J., 2009, Science Direct, Extramarital Sex, https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/extramarital-sex
Newport, F., 2024, Gallup Polls, Continuing Change in the US Views on Sex and Marriage, https://news.gallup.com/opinion/polling-matters/351326/continuing-change-views-sex-marriage.aspx
No author given, 2023, AAMFT, Same Sex Parents and Their Children, https://www.aamft.org/AAMFT/consumer_updates/same-sex_parents_and_their_children.aspx
No author given, 2023, American Psychological Association, Transgender Exclusion in Sports,
https://www.apa.org/topics/lgbtq/transgender-exclusion-sports
Parker, K., Brown, A., 2022, Pew Research Center, American’s Complex Views on Gender Identity and Transgender Issues, https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2022/06/28/americans-complex-views-on-gender-identity-and-transgender-issues/