SWA20

Humans and Animal Rights in Advertising

For years, the issue of animal rights has been a controversial topic all over the world. There are many viewpoints on the issue, but the biggest question is whether or not it is ethical to advocate for animal rights by treating humans unethically.

I. PETA has shown for years through their actions that nothing should stand in the way of animals receiving proper and caring treatment.

A. Advertisements that ignore the emotional impact they might have on some groups

1. Many advertisements with naked women

2. Advertisements against overweight people

B. Variety of advertising tactics

1. Graphic protests at restaurants

2. Billboards and posters

II. Some vegetarians are supporters of the animal rights movement, but they believe that there are limits to how far you can go in advocating for animals.

A. People who are turned away by certain ads

1. Holocaust comparisons

2. Ads that offend certain groups

B. Fur coat protests

1. Demeaning to everyone

III. There is a small group of people who are entirely against the notion of animal rights, believing that humans have the power and should be able to wield it as they see fit.

A. Factory farming

B. The cheaper the food, the better for businesses

1. Lower costs mean higher profits

IV. A large portion of the population includes meat in their everyday diet, but support the animal rights movement. However, many of these people are unfamiliar with many aspects of the movement or are uncomfortable getting involved.

A. Top of the food chain mentality

1. Biblical references

2. The habits of wild animals themselves

B. Being against PETA by principle

1. Over the top protests disgust normal people

This is a many-sided issue. There is not really any way to say who is truly right or wrong in this case, as certain groups would suffer no matter what decision was made. I personally believe that animals should be treated with compassion, but shocking people is not the way to make this happen, as PETA and supporters seem to think.