Non-Traditional Deviance Project: Furries by Olivia Fried https://padlet.com/onfried/83dlkra1sz2z67n3 en-us 2023-02-22 18:59:42 UTC 2023-02-25 02:11:36 UTC hello@padlet.com FURRIES onfried https://padlet.com/onfried/83dlkra1sz2z67n3/wish/2491609310 What are furries? 

Also known as "Otherkin", Furries are individuals that identify as a non-human entity. Therianthropy is the belief that an individual holds a strong connection with a certain animal or non-human identity. Many individuals that identify as otherkin often feel that they possess the soul of a specific theriotype- the animal/nonhuman entity. ]]> 2023-02-22 19:03:16 UTC https://padlet.com/onfried/83dlkra1sz2z67n3/wish/2491609310 The ABCs of Deviance onfried https://padlet.com/onfried/83dlkra1sz2z67n3/wish/2492818240 A- Attitude 
Researchers theorize that Therianthropy could stem from religious beliefs. Many religious mythologies contain "shape shifters" or "weres" (Robertson, 2013). 

B- Behavior
Those that identify as otherkin act differently from those who identify as only humans. Otherkin behavior is intentional and they are acting in a way to show to others that they identify as non-human


]]> 2023-02-23 16:27:01 UTC https://padlet.com/onfried/83dlkra1sz2z67n3/wish/2492818240 Work Cited onfried https://padlet.com/onfried/83dlkra1sz2z67n3/wish/2492819348 Robertson, Venetia Laura Delano. 2013. “The Beast Within: Anthrozoomorphic Identity and Alternative Spirituality in the Online Therianthropy Movement.” Jstor. Retrieved February 21, 2023 (https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/nr.2013.16.3.7).



Johnston, Jay. 2013. “On Having a Furry Soul: Transpecies Identity and Ontological Indeterminacy in Otherkin Subcultures.” Pp. 293–306 in Animal Death, edited by J. J. A. Probyn-Rapsey. Sydney, NSW, Australia: Sydney University Press.


Adler, Patricia, and Peter Adler. 2015. Constructions of Deviance: Social Power, Context, and Interaction. 8th
edition. Boston: Cengage Learning. ISBN 978-1305093546.



Goffman. Erving, Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity. New York: Touchstone (Reissue edition). 1986. 2 ISBN: 978-06716224422 

]]> 2023-02-23 16:27:49 UTC https://padlet.com/onfried/83dlkra1sz2z67n3/wish/2492819348 Goffman onfried https://padlet.com/onfried/83dlkra1sz2z67n3/wish/2492824054 Type of Stigma: 
Blemishes of Individual Character (discredited)
Furries can be seen as having unnatural passions. These unnatural passions place a stigma around individuals that identify as otherkin and changes the way we as a society view them.


]]> 2023-02-23 16:31:18 UTC https://padlet.com/onfried/83dlkra1sz2z67n3/wish/2492824054 The Three S's onfried https://padlet.com/onfried/83dlkra1sz2z67n3/wish/2492826219 Selection - 
Those in the Furry community chose to behave the way they do. They understand that they may be viewed as deviant but they still continue to go through with their actions. They make the conscious decision to put on their furry suit/ act like the animal of their choosing


Sin (if looking at Therianthrophy as a religious practice)- 
If looking at this through a historical lens the Furry community may be seen as an example of sin. In historical times many mythological creatures and many satanic creatures were part human part animal. Many question whether or not Therianthropy is related to religion or not. If you view it as having a connection to religion, then you may view their deviance as sin. ]]> 2023-02-23 16:32:51 UTC https://padlet.com/onfried/83dlkra1sz2z67n3/wish/2492826219 Sociological Theory onfried https://padlet.com/onfried/83dlkra1sz2z67n3/wish/2492828118 Merton's Strain Theory -

Innovation = 
I believe that the furry community falls under the strain theory under the way of Innovation. Merton classifies innovation as a means to reach a goal. Innovation is when an individual has a goal that cannot be reached by legitimate means, which results in them turning to using deviance/illegitimate means to reach their goal (Merton 1938). Their goal would be to become the animal that encompasses their soul, and the means of achieving this goal would be to defy the norms of society by acting and dressing as an non human entity. ]]> 2023-02-23 16:34:09 UTC https://padlet.com/onfried/83dlkra1sz2z67n3/wish/2492828118 Conceptualization onfried https://padlet.com/onfried/83dlkra1sz2z67n3/wish/2492830306 Normative/ Positivist Conception

In our society we have made it so that it is deemed deviant to act as though you identify as anything other than human. Society has set this norm and anyone who breaks it is automatically given a label and viewed negatively. Though the norm is not written down in law it is something that majority of society has come to an agreement on. That is why the normative/positivist conception would be the conceptualization that best fits this act of deviance. ]]> 2023-02-23 16:35:40 UTC https://padlet.com/onfried/83dlkra1sz2z67n3/wish/2492830306 Otherkins' View About Their Actions onfried https://padlet.com/onfried/83dlkra1sz2z67n3/wish/2492831428 Many individuals that identify as otherkin find their behavior normal and essential for them to express their identity. Otherkin often believe that they have the soul of an animal rather than human. In order to fulfill the need to express their true soul they adopt the identity of an animal. That being said otherkin feel that their behavior is not deviant and within their growing community they accept each other as their otherkin identities.]]> 2023-02-23 16:36:26 UTC https://padlet.com/onfried/83dlkra1sz2z67n3/wish/2492831428 My Views On The Topic onfried https://padlet.com/onfried/83dlkra1sz2z67n3/wish/2492831916 I believe that our society is made up of many different individuals with many unique personalities. That being said I believe that these unique quirks make our society better. I think people should be allowed to live their lives however they want, however, I do find it a little unsettling when an individual chooses to solely identify as an animal or non human entity. I personally don't have a desire to adopt a non human identity which is why I view Furries as deviant. If I were part of the Furrie community, however, I think that I would different view on the topic. ]]> 2023-02-23 16:36:48 UTC https://padlet.com/onfried/83dlkra1sz2z67n3/wish/2492831916