This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Melson, G. F. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Child Development and the Human-Companion Animal Bond

Purdue University

Companion animals are more common in households with minor children than in any other household type. More than 70% of U.S. households with children also have pets, with most parents reporting acquisition of an animal "for the children." Yet, studies of children's development largely have been limited to children's relationships with other humans. This article argues for a biocentric approach to development, in which children's contacts with the non-human world—animals, plants, and natural ecologies—come under scientific scrutiny. To understand the developmental significance of this ubiquitous aspect of children's environments, theory and research on companion animals in relation to perceptual, cognitive, social, and emotional development are reviewed and evaluated. The significance of children's encounters with animals, especially in the context of a human-companion animal bond, is emphasized. Biocentric research directions are described.

Key Words: pets • companion animals • psychology • children

American Behavioral Scientist, Vol. 47, No. 1, 31-39 (2003)
DOI: 10.1177/0002764203255210


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				T. B. Rampton, J. L. Rosemann, A. L. Latta, B. L. Mandleco, S. Olsen Roper, and T. T. Dyches Images of Life: Siblings of Children With Down Syndrome Journal of Family Nursing, November 1, 2007; 13(4): 420 - 442. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. Wehberg, W. Vach, D. Bleses, P. Thomsen, T. O. Madsen, and H. Basboll Danish children's first words: Analysing longitudinal data based on monthly CDI parental reports First Language, October 1, 2007; 27(4): 361 - 383. [Abstract] [PDF]