What do pets mean to Chinese women? : an analysis of the woman-pet relationship in China through representations of pet documentaries

Abstract

As pet-keeping is becoming more and more popular in China, current studies mainly emphasize the human-animal relationship but less research touches upon the gender difference in this relationship. This dissertation focuses on the woman-pet relationship. By analyzing four Chinese pet documentaries as representations of the current situation, this dissertation answers the functions pets serve for Chinese women in the 2020s. The four documentaries are Modern Furry Tale (2021), Animal Clinic (2021), Can’t Leave You (2021) and This Life (2018, 2020, 2021). The pet documentaries intend to present a harmonious picture of companion species which suits Donna Haraway’s discussion about companion species. However, the interactions between companion species reflect more social issues. I would like to propose that most women address themselves as mothers of companion animals because of their wish for subjectivity by redefining the concept of “mother”. What’s more, the pet economy makes women trapped in practicing neoliberalism rather than gaining pure emotional support. Women voluntarily take part in the pet economy and continue to exploit themselves in the name of pleasing themselves. It deserves further thinking that Chinese feminist activities take forms of real feminist actions or pseudo-feminist actions. For pet-keeping, there is a long way to achieve the status of companion species due to problems like personifying pets, imagining unconditional love, and active participation in the pet economy.