(Photo courtesy of Wikicommons Images, Chipfox, CC BY-SA 4.0)A rising new trend among children and teens to identify as animals such as dogs or cats has reached the point where the state of Texas has had to introduce legislation banning this behavior in schools!
According to Fox4.com, a Texas bill known as the FURRIES Act, has been introduced in order to ban non-human behaviors in public schools, including the wearing of animal costumes and accessories, and using litter boxes instead of toilets. If passed, students who violate these rules face suspension, expulsion, or placement in a juvenile justice education program. Educators who fail to enforce the law could face fines starting at $10,000.
The bill, entitled Forbidding Unlawful Representation of Roleplaying in Education or F.U.R.R.I.E.S Act. specifically prohibits “any non-human behavior by a student, including presenting himself or herself, on days other than exempt days, as anything other than a human being.” Exempt days include dressing up for Halloween or other “dress up” days at schools.
Prohibited behaviors include using a litter box, wearing tails, leashes, collars, or other accessories designed for pets. Wearing fur, artificial animal ears, barking, meowing, hissing or other animal noises that are not human speech, licking oneself or others for the purpose of grooming.
The bill also outlines that "allowing or encouraging the child to develop a dependence on or a belief that non-human behaviors are societally acceptable," in an educational setting, constitutes child abuse.
The need for this law follows a growing trend among young people to create an anthropomorphized animal character for themselves, which they call a “fursona” with whom they identify and then use as a kind of avatar within the community. Furries then gather online in communities to share their interests in what is now known as “furry fandom” much like Star Trek enthusiasts once called themselves “Trekkies.”
According to Furscience.com, more than 75 percent of furries are under the age of 25, with 84 percent being male, 13 percent female, and 2.5 percent being transgendered.
“A small subset of furries (~10%), called ‘therians,’ believe they are spiritually connected to animals, are less than (or more than) 100% human, are an animal trapped in a human body, or were an animal in a former life,” the site explains. “Otherkin, like therians, feel spiritually connected to non-human species, but the species extend to mystical species, e.g., dragons, griffons, and minotaurs.”
According to mental health experts at Inara Counseling and Consulting, being a furry is simply a hobby or form of self-expression, but normalizing this behavior can be risky for children.
“First and foremost, it's essential to recognize that being a furry is not inherently harmful. Many individuals find a sense of belonging, creativity, and community within the furry fandom. However, like any subculture, there are aspects that can pose risks, particularly for vulnerable individuals such as children,” the site explains.
One of the greatest concerns is the potential for bullying when children are ridiculed or ostracized for behaving like an animal in school or other inappropriate settings, which can have a detrimental effect on their self-esteem and mental wellbeing.
“Another issue is the potential for exploitation or grooming by individuals with malicious intent. The anonymity of online spaces where much of the furry community interacts can make children susceptible to manipulation or coercion. Predators may target young furries under the guise of mentorship or friendship, leading to situations of abuse or exploitation.”
There is also the risk that immersion in fantasy worlds may be to the detriment of real-life relationships and responsibilities.
“While escapism can be a healthy coping mechanism in moderation, excessive engagement in fantasy realms may interfere with a child's development of social skills, academic performance, and emotional regulation,” the site explains.
Some children may struggle with identity issues or confusion about their place in the world and may find the furry community to be a form of escape or self-discovery.
“While exploration of identity is a normal part of adolescence, it's essential for children to have guidance and support from trusted adults to navigate these complex issues safely.”
While tales of schools allowing litter boxes in restrooms remain largely unsubstantiated, acceptance of gender identity only naturally leads to persons believing that if they can “identify” with the opposite different gender, what’s to stop them from identifying with another species?
If approved by two-thirds of Texas House members, the bill would go into effect immediately. If it does not receive enough votes for immediate implementation, it will go into effect on September 1, 2025.
As of this writing, it has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.
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