Example family dissertation topic 1:

The rise of pet ownership in the ‘one child policy’ China.

Once banned by Chairman Mao as examples of bourgeois society, pets are making a resurgence in Chinese society, partly as a response to the country’s ‘one child policy’. The rise of a middle class, with greater disposable income, more leisure time, and a fascination with the pastimes of the West, have all contributed to a pet population in China of approximately 22 million dogs and 53 million cats (McConnell et al., 2011). This dissertation examines the changes wrought by the rise of pet ownership, including increasing rates of pet abandonment, animal rights, stress alleviation, emotional outlet, new avenues of commercial enterprise (through pet food and accessories), ecological change and the disapproval of pets as food (particularly subsequent to the crackdown for the Beijing Olympics 2008).

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Headey, B., Na, F. and Zheng, R. (2008). ‘Pet dogs benefit owners’ health: A ‘natural experiment’ in China’, Social Indicators Research, Vol. 87(3), pp. 481-493.
• McConnell, A.R., Brown, C.M., Shoda, T.M., Stayton, L.E. and Martin, C.E. (2011). ‘Friends with benefits: On the positive consequences of pet ownership’, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol. 101(6), pp. 1239.
• Turner, J. and d’Silva, J. (2006). Animals, ethics and trade: The challenge of animal sentience. London: Earthscan.