#therianproblems

[okari-blackpaw]

I've been hearing a lot about how people within the community are trying to change the base definition of otherkinity and therianthropy to exclude the "identifies as" portion. And point more towards what animality feels like/ that you can pick and choose your kintypes or theriotypes

I feel like I need to at least talk about this briefly because this is not the case.

The base definition of otherkin, and of the therian communities has been "a person who identifies as an animal (or insert mythical beast here) on a spiritual, or psychological level."

Identifies as.

If you don't fit the identifies as portion, or if you pick and choose your kintypes or theriotypes

You are not otherkin, and you are not a therian. Neither one of these are a conscious choice. There is no picking and choosing, there never has been.

One can experience changes with their kintyoes and theriotypes through self discovery, because sometime mistakes are made. And I wouldn't even really call them mistakes then because it's a journey of understanding yourself.

And yes, copinglinks aren't otherkin. Valid perhaps. But not a part of the community, copinglinks from what I've seen choose their types as a method to cope with some sort of trauma of varying degrees.

This is not an attack on anyone, and is meant to be educational more than anything and just kinda my standpoint on the whole situation.

I don't like that people are trying to remove such integral definitions that have played an important part of the community for year's, and I fear that if we continue down this new path, the communities will be seen as more of a joke than it already is.

Do your research, take your time with self discovery, and don't rush into things.

[okari-blackpaw]

A sociological perspective on the Therian and Otherkin Communities.

In the generalization of cultures there are mainstream/ dominant cultures which can, from my understanding at least be sort of an umbrella term for the subcultures it resides over. Counter cultures are like that of subcultures, the only difference being that countercultures main goal seems to be to go against the mainstream culture. I will cover what subculture I am a part of, why it's a subculture, of how it may or may not be a counterculture and its relationship with the mainstream/ dominant culture.

   A Subculture is like a micro of a dominant or mainstream culture. I’m seeing that with the communities that I am a part of, the Therian and Otherkin communities; that in my opinion and personal experience they fit the subjects of mainstream cultures and micro cultures. Most consider the Therian and Otherkin communities to be two separate or pseudo separate communities. I’m thinking that it will be better to address the Otherkin as the dominant/ mainstream culture and Therian as the subculture. The explanation for examining the two “pseudo” communities would be that be technically Therians are in fact a sub culture of the Otherkin, but a vast majority of both communities seem to be 50/50% on this, as some will agree and some will disagree and claim that the two are separate entities inertly. Otherkin encompasses the aspect of one being the reincarnation or (insert other belief here) of a non-earthen or “mythical creature”. Therian encompasses all that are by reincarnation or yet again (insert other belief here) earthen animals. A popular saying is that all therians are otherkin but not all are therians.  I’m also seeing that the Therian community itself has a somewhat biased opinion towards some of the “kin/ Therioypes” as not only is there a large “wolf therioype” grouping but it is a vast majority. There seems to be a frown on this that has formed over the course of even several years before i became a part of this community, as others that have the wolf theriotypes or others with differentiating theriotypes seem to think that the new members of the community don’t look past the wolf, as it could be that some see it as a trend and go “oh I’m a wolf because this is cool” and so forth. It could also be that the new members don’t take time to accurately describe themselves and seemingly now a days get attacked for actually being correct with their theriotypes. I’ve been noticing that because of the past negative impacts that have happened to the wolf aspects of the community, most frown on new and old members of that aspect. Another problem would be that presently if one in the community does not agree that they are a creature on the terms of reincarnation they are attacked and considered in valid which is not only false but seemingly furthers in ripping the community apart in its own perverted version of self-destruction. While i will admit that reincarnation is the basic term, like any culture or society terms are changed, sometimes entirely gotten rid of or added onto. A big question I’m now seeing is why does the therian community seem so dead set on trying to stay with the basic concept of reincarnation? Why throw a tantrum over change to a culture that may be beneficial? Even another question would be why is there so much negative stigma over those who do not identify with the reincarnation aspect? I’m also remembering that a few years back a small portion of the therian community invalidated most Otherkin.

If we address the therian community in all of its negative aspects, as I’ve only listed some of the major and still current ones that I have noticed recently and over the years through involvement, I am actually wondering if the therian community is a borderline Counterculture to the Otherkin community as there is so much negativity in parts of the therian community itself and much negativity towards the Otherkin community that maybe, maybe it is possible that because certain portions of the therian community are refusing to change that it will eventually cause the therian community itself to become a counterculture, simply because everyone is pressured to be 100% correct with their theriotypes and are seemingly set on invalidating those who are brave enough now a days to correct themselves.  and its one of the bigger problems because it implies to new members that they don’t have room for mistakes and they question what is different about themselves and in some cases, don’t speak about what they have that’s different for fear of backlash.

[xyno-naythem]

When you're a therian but only have the courage to wear your tail in the house otherwise it's just a key chain to the side of your trousers. :( :( :( Who else shares the same problem??? Just me??? Yeah, figured... #therian #wolftherian #wolf #therianproblems #problems #therianwolf #tail #tailproblems #goingoutsoon #lackofcourage #realxed #happy #ratherstayhome

[xyno-naythem]

All my therian friends are jealous of how I live 5 steps away from a forest. The thing they don't know is that my mum doesn't let me go there so I'm simply a city wolf with a forest outside my window it's sad... #therian #wolftherian #wolf #therianproblems #forest

[lionesslair77]

I was so excited to hit the trails today tagging along with my husband for turkey season. It was sunny, cool, and amazingly beautiful out. We had the whole trail to ourselves too! Two hours into the hunt we started getting rained on, and then during our hike back to our car snowed on. It has rained or snowed only on or days off work for the past 3 weeks. Fuck you nature, you glorious but heartless bitch. I love you but sometimes I hate you.

[mysterykin]

"Furries are people who wear animal costumes to an Anime Convention"😒 #therianproblems #furryproblems

[101sakon45-blog]

I think I might be different psychologically

Hey guys, I think I might be an Attack-helicopterkin, please don't judge me

[lexilveon]

Really need to m-shift but parents are in bed ;-;