Welfare Science

Pig Welfare and Secondary Education

How farm animal welfare is taught in secondary education and the potential for improved curricula to shape future attitudes.

Key Facts

Farm animal welfare is rarely covered substantively in mainstream school curricula
Agricultural education programs often present production-focused perspectives
Exposure to farm animal welfare science in education shifts attitudes durably
Student engagement with welfare issues correlates with subsequent consumer behavior
Education offers the opportunity to reach future decision-makers before attitudes crystallize

Welfare Considerations

Secondary education is a critical window for shaping animal welfare attitudes that persist into adult consumer and citizen behavior. Curricula that engage honestly with farm animal welfare evidence build more empathetic and informed future decision-makers.

What You Can Do

Advocate for animal welfare to be included in school science and citizenship curricula
Support organizations that develop evidence-based animal welfare education resources
Engage with school animal welfare projects and activities in your community