Child cruelty to animals and social violence

This paper aims to point directly at a social circumstance that is not given the importance it should be given: the mistreatment of animals and its possible relationship with social violence. There are multiple connections in which this relationship manifests itself in the psychological, biological and social spheres. Leading scholars have contributed to this analysis and this article is a modest effort to summarise some of their contributions. As a dialectical counterpart to this process we must consider the role of Humanitarian Education in the formation of more empathetic and compassionate citizens for the construction of less violent societies. The aim is then to present a set of reflections for parents, teachers, professionals and officials of various child protection institutions, so that they can incorporate this element into their daily lives in favour of a climate of peace and social coexistence.