Pets and leisure practices: storge
https://doi.org/10.28995/2658-5294-2025-8-4-130-144
Abstract
The paper is about the search for theoretical contexts to examine the practice of keeping pets as a leisure activity. The main question is what values form the core of this practice and what human needs it is deemed to satisfy. The review of statistics allows us to identify it in the features of various social profiles, as well as to highlight the growth of this practice, which allows us to conclude that, as a leisure practice, it is associated with the formation of a new norm of relations based on the recognition of vulnerability, the need for love and care and the interdependence of living beings. Based on the involvement of existential and phenomenological contexts, a hypothesis is proposed about the convergence of three worlds in this practice – the world of the environment, the life world shared with Others, and the inner world (Umwelt, Mitwelt, and Eigenwelt): a pet is given to its owner both as a part of nature, and as “you”, and as the Other, setting the boundaries of subjectivity of its human alter ego, which makes it a platform for the production and confirmation of the new value. The modern practice of keeping pets opens up the relationship of living (people and non-people) as interdependent, and creates the possibility of a contract based on love-storge.
About the Author
S. B. Adonyeva
The Propp Centre for Humanities-based research in the Sphere of Traditional Culture
Россия
Россия
Svetlana B. Adonyeva, Dr. of Sci. (Philology), professor
apt. 28, bld. 4, 1-st Line of Vasilievsky Island, Saint Petersburg, 199034
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Review
For citations:
Adonyeva S.B. Pets and leisure practices: storge. Folklore: Structure, Typology, Semiotics. 2025;8(4):130-144. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.28995/2658-5294-2025-8-4-130-144
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