The compounding feminization of animal cruelty investigation work and its multispecies implications. Issue 3 (19th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Coulter, Kendra; Fitzgerald, Amy
• Other Names: Sayers Janet guestEditor.; Hamilton Lindsay guestEditor.; Sang Kate guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Gender work and organization. Volume 26:Issue 3(2019:May)
• Page Start: 288
• Page End: 302
• Publication Date: 2018-02-19
• Subjects: animal cruelty investigation work -- animal cruelty investigators -- animals and work -- gender and animals -- gender and work -- humane jobs -- humane law enforcement; Sex role in the work environment -- Periodicals; Sexual division of labor -- Periodicals; Sex discrimination in employment -- Periodicals; Organizational sociology -- Periodicals; Industries -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 306.361505
• DOI: 10.1111/gwao.12230
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0968-6673

Abstract

Abstract : All forms of human labour performed with and/or for animals are gendered, although not always tidily. Here we focus on animal cruelty investigation work, a particularly complicated gendered occupational case. Drawing on survey, interview and focus group data, we focus on a regionally based workforce's gendered specifics. In keeping with feminist political economy and labour process theory, we highlight both material and experiential dimensions, examining physical and psychological risks, and rewards. We argue that the gendered and multispecies entanglements of the work and the victims coalesce in the compounding feminization of cruelty investigation labour. We raise questions about the implications of the gendered and multispecies interconnections for the women and men involved, and for the animals dependent on their work.