Ab_Normal

I'd wear fur if:

* It was humanely raised and killed
* It's not an endangered species
* I could afford it!

I think point two pretty much includes point one - I don't think anybody's factory farming ocelots for fur coats. (Anyway, I'd feel bad wearing a cat.) But I haven't done any research, because of the all important point three!

brighid

The anti-fur people are but one market force that impact this and other industries. I don't think there is sufficient evidence to place the full weight of this decline squarely on the shoulders of this position. PETA seems to have a radical, sensationalistic modus operandi and I don't think the average person is swayed, but more often offended and scared away from their position by their radical nature.

PETA is still hard at work using emotional manipulation of plausible truths to elicit an emotional response, I agree. But the fur market has suffered several other market declines, one of the most notable being during and after WWII when there was no established anti-fur crowd. It regained momentum in the 60's and 70's and declined in the 80's and 90's ... in part due to the oppositional movement calling for more humane treatment and harvesting of animals, the better economic choices of leather and synthetic fabrics, and some the economic decline a majority of industries felt during the 80's.

Part of the problem with Nutria fur is that in order to make the pelt soft certain fibers must be removed and this compromises the pelt. The price tags on a nutria coat are expensive, and compared to other furs that have more durability they might not compete as well. This likely has an impact on market forces that aide in the decline for this fur.

I am researching other popular furs to see if I can find any pattern.

Brighid

Viti

I included the poll as my (unsceintific) theory is that the average person has been swayed by the propaganda to believe that wearing fur is inherently wrong or immoral. I know I personally believed for some time that animals were not treated humanely, that fur was fashion only and the fur farmers were not an active part of the food industry, and that fake fur was the better alternative. Slogans like "Fur is Dead" are not restricted to the radical fringe, but are well known in mainstream society.

Just my theory, and the poll shows several people chose "Wearing fur is WRONG, but leather is okay" indicating they find something immoral about fur.


Ugghh...I am not explaining myself well so I'll try again. I believe the overall societal opinion is anti-fur. I have had people wearing 500.00 leather coats or pants say nasty things to me when wearing my mink collared coat. My question is why? Why is it considered wrong to wear mink, but okay to wear leather by so many people? Maybe I am wrong and the anti-fur campaign is not to blame, so then my question is, what did create this general "fur is bad" sentiment?

brighid

It is possible that I am giving entirely too much credit to the “general” public, but I base my frame of reference with the people I interact with and therefore have a limited, subjective scope of things.

I do think the anti-fur movement is responsible for making certain animals rights issues at the forefront of public knowledge. From what I have been able to gather there was (and continues to be) some pretty inhumane treatment of harvested animals. As you know I do not oppose harvesting of animals, but I do desire animals to be treated humanely, live, breed and eventually be harvested for their materials in the most humane and environmentally friendly way possible. Some positive laws have been enacted and some negative laws have been enacted that impact the fur and meat industry.

I do not know why some people feel it is okay to wear leather, but not fur. I also don’t understand why some vegetarians eat fish. Personally, I think that is rather contradictory and a bit hypocritical. Too many people simply go with whatever, as you put it, PC at the time. They do not think through their position and they do not take the time to research any topic objectively, or thoroughly. I would be glad to see a cursory, but balanced inquiry into most issues from the general public. People who make snap judgments about another person walking down the street based on the type of clothes they wear, the color of their skin, gender, mannerisms, etc. are generally NOT the types who give much time to objectivity.

Both sides of this cause have reason to distort the facts. Therefore one has to wade through the propaganda and reactionary appeals to emotion and find out what is really at the heart of the matter.

The fur industry has suffered setbacks because of the inhumane practices they have used have come to public light. I am not sure that result is entirely bad, or even immoral. I think this industry has been unjustly hurt to some degree by the reactionaries bent on a cause and not entirely interested in objective dissemination of the facts. Unfortunately, society allows itself to react emotively without taking the time to check these “facts.” This weakness is exploited by all “interested” parties.

I have found no credible evidence that the anti-fur movement is the direct and ultimate cause of the decline, but it is one factor of many significant ones that have hurt this and other industries.

I have found some of what the animals rights movement has said to be correct. I have found some of what the pro-fur and other animal industry proponents statements to be correct. I have also found that both aren’t entirely truthful, and both have told some lies in support of their position.

I am not going to allow the anti-fur industry, the fur farmers, the government, my neighbors, or anyone else for that matter tell me what I should think. They are free to state their positions, and even free to distort the facts (although that is immoral) but each person has the ability to discern fact from fiction and not get sucked into the propaganda machine.

Someday I hope to purchase a ranch raised mink, from a farm that humanely treats their animals. If some ill-informed pedestrian wants to cast aspersions my way, so be it! Perhaps I will offer them a moment of education. However, I won’t allow myself to be fooled by the industry pro’s either who want to tell me that they are taking environmental precautions and treat their animals well. I want some proof. I would suggest the same for everyone, and I would suggest telling the busy bodies have no business making snap, moral judgments where they can shove their do-gooder attitude.

Brighid

The AntiChris

Why the concern for "endangered species"?

Why should they be the exception?

Chris

mike_decock

Because they're cool and I like them .

-Mike...

Viti

Chris...I don't know about others, but I do try to be environementally conscious. If a particular population is unstable or declining, I think it would be wrong to put an entire species to the brink of extinction for clothing! There are plenty on non-endangered fur bearers. I am also careful about the types of wood I buy which some people don't think about at all.

Some call me inconsistent, but I am also against trophy hunting. I think if an animal is killed for human use it should be used as completely as possible be it food for humans other animals.

Viti

And thank you Brighid, good points all around. I especially agree with researching your sources...I also buy cage free eggs and free range meats because I agree we have a responsibility to raise and harvest our food and fur animals humanely. As I said before, my personal furs are all vintage, but I would check out the sources if I was purchasing a new item.

tronvillain

While I do not wear fur, I see nothing wrong inherently wrong with it, as long as farming conditions are relatively humane (which seems fairly likely given the need to maintain quality) and trapping does not wipe out important animal populations.

openeyes

I don't wear fur because I'd stand out in the places I go. I don't dress up often. Actually, now that I think about it, I have some mink ear muffs that I wear occasionally (but I can't hear with them on so they're a bit of a nuisance.)

I grew up on a mink "ranch" (as we called it) BTW.