Exercising Parental Instincts from a Different Species
Studies show that parenting, or lack thereof, has a tremendous life-long effect on the offspring. This has been proven true whether we look at humans or animals. Although animals are regarded by some as inferior to humans, animals have exhibited behaviors that are largely similar to humans, especially in terms of parenting. Humans have different parenting styles. Animals too have varied parenting behaviors. However, one common ground between both groups is their parenting instinct, specifically maternal instinct. Both humans and animals seemed to be programmed to protect and provide for their young. Although there are exceptions, like reptiles that leave their eggs after laying them, it is safe to say that most animals look after the welfare of their babies, just like humans do. This natural occurrence is not limited within a particular specie, meaning, this phenomenon has been observed between two different types of animals. There are reports of mother dogs taking in a parentless kitten or vice versa. Out in the ocean, whales are known to adopt lone dolphins without their parents. Elephants adopt baby elephants that have lost their parents. Similarly, lions and tigers and other fierce animals of the wild have the same parenting tendencies in spite their feared demeanor. This only goes to show that the instinct of a mother or a father are more or less the same across species. Perhaps the most well-recorded and most-notable display of parental instinct across species is none other than that between man and man’s best friend, the dog. This relationship is called human-canine bonding, and scientists have reasons to believe that the relationship begun as early as 15,000 years ago. According to statistics, there are 89.7 million dogs in the United States in 2017–2018, and 68 percent of U.S. households, or about 85 million families, have at least one dog at home. It is sad to note, however, that not all dogs are treated equally with love and care. Some dogs are physically abused; others are neglected. An estimated 670,000 dogs are euthanized each year in the United States alone. Furthermore, dogfighting has been on the rise in recent years although it is a crime in many countries, including the United States. On the other hand, dogs who find trustworthy and dependable humans are treated as members of the family and as best friends. Dogs are considered as stress relievers in most homes; there are also those that are trained as service dogs, able to provide assistance to humans with disabilities. Dogs that find good homes are pampered and given much attention. In return, these dogs are loyal beyond belief to their humans and are prepared to protect them. This instinct is extended to other members of the family. In fact, when a baby is born to a good human friend, dogs are observed to show maternal instincts, prepared to fight in order to protect the human’s little one. Although they may not speak our language and clearly express their emotions, dogs have the same, if not more, parental tendencies to their human counterparts. Humans, therefore, need to realize the hurt and trauma they sometimes inflict upon these animals and start to see them as more than just four-legged companions. Read the full article