Debate at a glance:
- International
- Five countries participated
- USA, India, Australia, UK, Singapore
- 22 students (19 and under) participated
- Debate conducted similar to an online discussion
- Portion of debate conducted in classroom
|
Note: This page includes perspectives from various children around the world on the issue of using animals in entertainment. What they said has been included here in their own words.
No portion of their writing has been edited. |
|
 |
| Animals used in entertainment |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
All Images
Courtesy: API
Used with permission |
|
| This debate started off with the following question: |
 |
| How do you feel about animals used in entertainment to provide a few hours of human enjoyment? |
If they are being treated well, then it's ok. |
Sam (USA, Age 12) |
 |
It's fine. The animals are not being hurt in the process. |
Joe (USA, Age 13) |
 |
I don't like this idea. I mean, I suppose something like the circus is fine when animals and humans are interacting, but harming animals isn't appealing to me. |
Kyle (USA, Age 12) |
 |
I think it is wrong unless the animal is happy. |
Branden (USA, Age 13) |
 |
I feel that if the animals are not harmed and if they are given proper care that if they are given proper care that it is not a problem. |
Taylor (USA, Age 13) |
 |
It is only okay if the animal isn't being forced to do anything and is happy. Circus animals - I think it is cruel because of bad living conditions. |
Kerri (USA, Age 13) |
 |
I think it is cruel and humane. Animals should be free to go about anywhere they like but if the animals they use have been saved from shelters then that would be okay. |
Erin (USA, Age 12) |
 |
I feel that in some cases this is cruel like in bull fights, but in cases such as the Crocodile Hunter and fishing it's not really cruel. |
Alex (USA, Age 13) |
 |
Okay with me. |
Spencer (USA, Age 13) |
 |
I do not agree to that because the animals deserve to live in an environment they feel comfortable. |
Sarah (USA, Age 13) |
 |
I don't like that at all . I don't go to circuses anymore because the animals look so miserable, and I think that the animals used at Seaworld and places like that are sad too. |
Jessica (USA, Age 13) |
 |
I think it is disgusting. In my opinion, it should be illegal. I went to a circus once, I can't remember what happened. I don't think they are worth it. |
Lauren (USA, Age 13) |
 |
While it's enjoyable it is wrong to take animals from its natural habitat. If the animal was injured and saved it isn't bad, but stealing them from their home is wrong. |
Drew (USA, Age 13) |
 |
I think it is cruel. |
Ryan (USA, Age 13) |
 |
Using the animals in circuses and for any other type of entertainment is unnecessary and demeaning to the animals. They are forced to do unnatural things. It is wrong to put the animals through this type of torture. |
Anu (India, Age 18) |
 |
It simply shouldn't be allowed. Using animals like this is cruel. For example, in circuses, animals are forced to live in very little space. In many cases they are also tortured by the trainers, even though it is not possible to see it during the actual circus. |
Colin (UK, Age 14) |
 |
It is really sad to see the animals taken away from the natural habitats and moved around from city to city, month after month. They are trained to perform unnatural tricks merely to amuse people for a short period of time. In my opinion, it is not only selfish, but barbaric. |
Barbara (Australia, Age 17) |
 |
I am completely against animals being used in circus. This is the first type of entertainment that comes to mind. They make the wild animals appear to be approachable, funny, and playful. This is not true. The circus is supposedly educational. Circuses don't teach us anything about the animal itself, their natural behavior, their habitats, or their lifestyles. Circuses should be made illegal. |
Abe (USA, Age 15) |
 |
Irrespective of the type of entertainment, when animals are used for human entertaining, the training methods are cruel and abusive. The process is stressful for the animals. The trainers use tight collars, whips, bullhooks, electric prods, and unimaginable tools in an effort to teach them tricks and submission. It is inhumane. We don't have the right to take animals from their natural habitats and torture them for a few moment of human amusement. This should be made illegal. |
Drew (USA, Age 16) |
 |
We should shut down all circuses using animals. Circuses are simply pits of cruelty. Rodeo, bullfighting, all of it.they are all cruel. |
Ajay (Singapore, Age 17) |
 |
I enjoy going to the circus and seeing the animals perform. I have seen the circus animals being cared for. They are given good meals and cared for really well. I think the animals perform only because of all the love the trainers give them. I don't think they'll perform if they are forced to. They only perform out of love. I think people are spreading a lot of bad news about the circus and making a big deal of it. |
Devon (USA, Age 13) |
|