The fight for power

So after listening to Claire Tillman's talk on Friday, and thinking about our discussion on the dogfighting essay today, I was stuck thinking about male stereotypes and what it means to "be a man".

Claire mentioned on Friday that one version of animal abuse comes from young boys not knowing any better. In my opinion, it's the same mentality boys get when they feel the need to destroy stuff. Just the fact that they can be destructive and hurtful makes them feel powerful. They may not grasp the full extent and meaning behind what they're doing, but I think there is a definite subconscious issue of men needing to have power. Boys see it from an early age and want power too, and continue to have that thirst throughout their life. In turn, they become an example to other little boys, creating a vicious cycle.

I think this idea of trying to grasp power also connects to dogfighting. As stated in essay 1 of the anthology, there is a clear stigma attached to having a prize fighting dog. There is a sense of honor, which in essence is respect, which in essence is power. This idea of dogfighting as a way of life, is really just men looking for a way to have power, yet again. It's amazing to me the lengths to which men will go to feel or seem "manly". Granted, I'm making a large overgeneralization here, but I think even on a small scale, there is a thirst for power in the mob mentality of men. Whether they are demonstrating it through their prize fighting dog, or by claiming use of the remote control, there is a desire for power and control.

Let me clarify my statement there. I'm not saying the urge for power is necessarily bad on the whole. As long as kept in check, a healthy thirst for power can be good. It feeds determination, ambition, perseverance, etc. But power is also at the root of the alpha male mentality, and the impetus for early on animal abuse by children as well as dogfighting by adults.