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Furry Chat => General => Topic started by: ottodestruct on December 04, 2007, 09:57:07 PM

Title: Questions for the furry community
Post by: ottodestruct on December 04, 2007, 09:57:07 PM
I am in the process of doing an independent 'essay' (i.e. not for a class, and hopefully the final product will be an essay, that is the final goal for right now anyway), and was hoping to get some insight into furry culture. To do so I have made a list of questions, that hopefully you guys can answer. If you feel any of these questions are 'loaded' to bring a bias, let me know and I will be happy to either rephrase them, or remove them entirely. The same thing goes if you feel anything is offensive, although hopefully that is not the case. I'm not here to flame. Anyway without further ado, please if you have the time go through and answer as many of these as you wish (preferably all). If you feel uncomfortable answering, feel free not to. Make comments as long as you want. Feel free to elaborate if your answer doesn't 'fit' inside the confines of the question (and again, if it becomes a repeated issue, I will be happy to rephrase in a way you guys feel is fair).

NOTE: I am aware there are different 'aspects' of different 'furry' cultures (i.e. people who identify with reptiles might not call themselves furry). Furry is a term of convenience. I hesitate to use 'otherkin', however, because it connotates a different meaning. In the final paper I might just end up using something to the effect of 'animal-kin', but for now, again, furry is being used for convenience.

NOTE 2: Try to avoid using icons, whether they be images, or faces such as '^_^'. Anyone who is interested in cultural studies knows how important language is, and language is one of the core issues at stake here. I realize that emoticons such as those are part of an internet language, but it tends not to translate well into a paper.

How old are you? (if you don't feel comfortable putting your actual age, put a demographic: 13-18, 19-22, 23-27, 28-32, 33+)
Are you a member of a local furry community where you live? How large is it?
When did you know you were a furry (age, and / or a life event)? Were you born knowing you were a furry?
How do you identify yourself as a furry? Are you just a person that happens to have a fursona and you retain your own identity or is it part of your personal identity.
If you choose to identify as an entirely different fursona while 'suited', do other people have to address you as your fursona , or do you still respond and socialize as john doe?
Does your blood related family know you are a furry?
Do you still live at home?
Do you consider yourself 'transcended' and no longer consider yourself human?
Do you consider it a lifestyle? how so?
Do you find attraction to 'ugly' animals as well, like squid, slugs, etc?
Does your fur activites extend to the bedroom? Do you find a sexual attraction to animals? Furries? Humans? Pick as many as apply.
How would you rate your self esteem in your childhood, and your self esteem now?
Add any other comments you think might be useful
 
Title: Re: Questions for the furry community
Post by: WingedZephyr on December 04, 2007, 10:40:18 PM
1) How old are you? (if you don't feel comfortable putting your actual age, put a demographic: 13-18, 19-22, 23-27, 28-32, 33+)

13-18

2) Are you a member of a local furry community where you live? How large is it?

No. I know of no other furries where I live in real life. If an online community counts, this forum is pretty much it.

3) When did you know you were a furry (age, and / or a life event)?

I don't really know if there was a defining point where I could say "I was not furry then, but I was after [such and such]." It was kind of a gradual thing for me, like I knew it was there, and once I found out what a furry was, I felt I could relate to that.

4) Were you born furry?

Maybe unconsciously, sure.

5) Do you have an entire fursona? Is it an entirely new 'entity' or is it an extension of yourself (i.e. when you 'suit up', to whatever extent you do, are you still john doe, or do you become someone else?)

My fursona is a part of me Whether it becomes the greater or lesser part, I can't just "imagine away" my human self.

6) If you have two 'entities', do other people have to address you as a furry when you 'suit up', or do you still socialize as john doe?

N/A

7) If you did adopt an entirely different fursona, do you feel you were forced into that, or was it a choice?

I'm not sure what this question is asking. If I changed my fursona? It wouldn't be forced by anyone on the outside. A fursona is always a personal choice or preference. If there was any "forcing" at all, it would be to realize that there's a different animal that I could more strongly relate to, thus "forcing" a change because my previous fursona wouldn't be the best choice for me anymore.

8) Does your blood related family know you are a furry?

No, and it doesn't really matter to me if they do or not. It's not really a thing to hide, but they'd likely get confused about what it means, so I've found it's better to just keep it to myself.

9) Do you still live at home?

No.

10) Do you consider yourself 'transcended' into a furry and no longer consider yourself human?

No. I'm still a human being.

11) Do you feel you can interact with humans, or only furries?

I can interact with humans and furries all the same.

12) Do you consider it a lifestyle? how so?

My fursona is a part of my personality, so to say it doesn't affect my life would be a lie. My life doesn't revolve around furry-ness though.

13) Do you find attraction to 'ugly' animals as well, like squid, slugs, etc?

Define "attraction." Could I accept someone with a slug fursona? Sure.

14) Does your fur activites extend to the bedroom? do you still find humans sexually attractive?

No. Humans are fine.

15) Do you find a sexual attraction to animals, or only furries?

No.

16) How would you rate your self esteem in your childhood, and your self esteem now?

Hm... is "low" specific enough? If so, then low, for both.

17) As you were thinking of the answers to previous questions, were you thinking of them as your 'human' self or as your fursona?

Both.

18) Add any other comments you think might be useful

None that I can think of.
Title: Re: Questions for the furry community
Post by: ottodestruct on December 04, 2007, 10:45:23 PM
Quote from: WingedZephyr on December 04, 2007, 10:40:18 PM

7) If you did adopt an entirely different fursona, do you feel you were forced into that, or was it a choice?

I'm not sure what this question is asking. If I changed my fursona? It wouldn't be forced by anyone on the outside. A fursona is always a personal choice or preference. If there was any "forcing" at all, it would be to realize that there's a different animal that I could more strongly relate to, thus "forcing" a change because my previous fursona wouldn't be the best choice for me anymore.


Thanks for your answers!

I'm quoting this in particular, because, again, like I said, if a question doesn't necessarily make sense, be sure to let me know. I changed the original wording, since this question was meant to be related to a previous one if you had answered yes.
Title: Re: Questions for the furry community
Post by: Goblin Cat 😸 on December 04, 2007, 11:26:32 PM
How old are you?
13-18.

Are you a member of a local furry community where you live? How large is it?
Nope. And as far as I know, we don't even have one.

When did you know you were a furry (age, and / or a life event)?
I've always been furry as far as I know... But I never actually knew what furry was until my mate pointed it out to me about a year or two ago.

Were you born furry?
Maybe subconsciously.

Does your blood related family know you are a furry?
Not really. They know I draw anthropomorphic animals and feral animals, but they don't really know what a furry is in the first place.

Do you still live at home?
Indeed. I'm not old enough to move out yet.

Do you consider yourself 'transcended' into a furry and no longer consider yourself human?
No, whether people realize it or not. I am still human, we all are.

Do you feel you can interact with humans, or only furries?
I can interact with anyone who is not  close-minded meat head.

Do you consider it a lifestyle? how so?
I consider it something I'm into. I do not carry myself as an animal in order to call it a lifestyle.

Do you find attraction to 'ugly' animals as well, like squid, slugs, etc?
Indeed. There is not ugly animal. (Aside from spiders, but they are arachnids.)

Does your fur activities extend to the bedroom? do you still find humans sexually attractive?
I do find humans attractive. Humans, and humans only.

Do you find a sexual attraction to animals, or only furries?
I prefer my own species. Human, whether they are furry or not.

How would you rate your self esteem in your childhood, and your self esteem now?
High in childhood, lower now.

As you were thinking of the answers to previous questions, were you thinking of them as your 'human' self or as your fursona?
Both.
Title: Re: Questions for the furry community
Post by: Vosur Aekira on December 04, 2007, 11:36:35 PM
Quote

How old are you? (if you don't feel comfortable putting your actual age, put a demographic: 13-18, 19-22, 23-27, 28-32, 33+)

23
Quote
Are you a member of a local furry community where you live? How large is it?

No, I'm more anti-social than you would make me to be.
Quote
When did you know you were a furry (age, and / or a life event)?

I sorta 'grew' into it... first I was just working on a 'character'-type of avatar, then it progressively came into this. So, when I 'knew' about it? Not really sure.
Quote
Were you born furry?

I wouldn't say I was 'born' furry, more towards eventually see myself as such due to comparing my attitudes and behaviour to an animal (asked the "what animal would you best resemble" question over and over).
Quote
Do you have an entire fursona? Is it an entirely new 'entity' or is it an extension of yourself (i.e. when you 'suit up', to whatever extent you do, are you still john doe, or do you become someone else?)

No, but I like the clothing my fursona (look in profile/pics) wears and I'm trying somewhat to get that type of clothing. In a sense, my fursona is a 'reflection' of myself... or an 'extension' if you prefer calling it that, but it's only available to those who come here and certain other 'online' places.
Quote
If you have two 'entities', do other people have to address you as a furry when you 'suit up', or do you still socialize as john doe?
Not applicable.
Quote
If you did adopt an entirely different 'entity', do you feel you were forced into that, or was it a choice?

I tried making a new 'character' if that's what you mean... but that doesn't seem like an answer.
Quote
Does your blood related family know you are a furry?

No. And I'd rather much keep it that way. Less worry on them is less worry on myself.
Quote
Do you still live at home?

I'm a long way from what I feel to be 'home'.... so no.
Quote
Do you consider yourself 'transcended' into a furry and no longer consider yourself human?

I know I'm human... but I realize that I have so many animal-like attributes.
Quote
Do you feel you can interact with humans, or only furries?

I may not like to 'interact' with anyone due to my anti-social behaviour, but I have to interact with people of many types on many occasions.
Quote
Do you consider it a lifestyle? how so?

Never sat down to think about it like that.
Quote
Do you find attraction to 'ugly' animals as well, like squid, slugs, etc?

I wouldn't say things like a squid to be 'ugly', not really any creature out there is 'ugly' either... but do I hold attraction to them? No....
Quote
Does your fur activites extend to the bedroom? do you still find humans sexually attractive?
Do 'fur' activities extend to the bedroom? No. Do I still find humans attractive? Yes.
Quote
Do you find a sexual attraction to animals, or only furries?

I'd say to only 'furries' due to the extent of human-like characteristics that most 'furries' allow themselves to have in their fursonas. (Such as those who make an anthromorphic or "anthro" type of fursona, such as my own. Link to definition by 'medical' terms of anthromorphic: http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Anthromorphic ) What I would also add is that I know a human is on the other end.
Quote
How would you rate your self esteem in your childhood, and your self esteem now?

In my childhood, I'd say that I was confident but didn't care. Now...I deal with machines that would cost most people's yearly incomes on a daily basis, people's live are often placed into my hands... now should I have a have a self esteem?
Quote
As you were thinking of the answers to previous questions, were you thinking of them as your 'human' self or as your fursona?
My fursona is a reflection of myself... so I'd say as both.
Quote
Add any other comments you think might be useful
I hate to say it, but many of these questions are redundant, unnecessary, almost snide in how they were put, and can be very intimately involving. I would recommend rethinking those questions over before putting any demographics on them or any answers from those.
Title: Re: Questions for the furry community
Post by: ottodestruct on December 05, 2007, 12:19:10 AM
Quote from: Vosur on December 04, 2007, 11:36:35 PM

I hate to say it, but many of these questions are redundant, unnecessary, almost snide in how they were put, and can be very intimately involving. I would recommend rethinking those questions over before putting any demographics on them or any answers from those.


Which questions in particular did you have issue with in terms of 'being snide'? Again, I would be happy to change them.

As far as demographics, that is probably the least useful in terms of my research. Its more or less just an interesting earmark, however, to find a trend. If a trend doesn't exist, it won't end up being discussed in the final paper.

As far as being intimate: I realize that is an issue, and is why I said that you are open to answer whatever ones you feel comfortable with. Sexuality is something that is generally an issue brought up frequently from what I have seen in furry culture so far. Not discussing something doesn't make it not exist. I tried to word the questions in that way in a very vague way that isn't necessesarily loaded. You don't have to answer specifically what about something turns you on, a simple yes / no will suffice. I'm not here to judge people. Whatever floats your boat. The reason why I ask is because quite frankly there isn't a lot of academia out there on furries. The stuff that IS out there tends to clump furry and beastiality together. So far, although there is a low number of responses, the trend is that this isn't the case.
Title: Re: Questions for the furry community
Post by: iKero-chu™ on December 05, 2007, 12:40:46 AM
How old are you? (if you don't feel comfortable putting your actual age, put a demographic: 13-18, 19-22, 23-27, 28-32, 33+)
14.

Are you a member of a local furry community where you live? How large is it?
South Florida Furries and not too big.

When did you know you were a furry (age, and / or a life event)?
I reliazed what it was called when I was 12.

Were you born furry?
Yes.
Do you have an entire fursona? Is it an entirely new 'entity' or is it an extension of yourself (i.e. when you 'suit up', to whatever extent you do, are you still john doe, or do you become someone else?)
Yes I do and no.

If you did adopt an entirely different 'entity', do you feel you were forced into that, or was it a choice?
Choice.

Does your blood related family know you are a furry?
No.

Do you still live at home?
Yes.

Do you consider yourself 'transcended' into a furry and no longer consider yourself human?
Kinda.

Do you feel you can interact with humans, or only furries?
Both.

Do you consider it a lifestyle? how so?
Yes in the online sense. Because I'm so attached to being online talking to other furries becasue there is only one furry I know in my school.

Do you find attraction to 'ugly' animals as well, like squid, slugs, etc?
They're not ugly but cute.

Does your fur activites extend to the bedroom? do you still find humans sexually attractive?
Yes and Yes.

Do you find a sexual attraction to animals, or only furries?
Only Furries and Humans.

How would you rate your self esteem in your childhood, and your self esteem now?
I AM a child still; it use to be much worse then it is now but atleast I have some confidence.

As you were thinking of the answers to previous questions, were you thinking of them as your 'human' self or as your fursona?
Both.
Title: Re: Questions for the furry community
Post by: Vosur Aekira on December 05, 2007, 01:52:06 AM
Quote from: ottodestruct on December 05, 2007, 12:19:10 AM

Quote from: Vosur on December 04, 2007, 11:36:35 PM

I hate to say it, but many of these questions are redundant, unnecessary, almost snide in how they were put, and can be very intimately involving. I would recommend rethinking those questions over before putting any demographics on them or any answers from those.


Which questions in particular did you have issue with in terms of 'being snide'? Again, I would be happy to change them.

As far as demographics, that is probably the least useful in terms of my research. Its more or less just an interesting earmark, however, to find a trend. If a trend doesn't exist, it won't end up being discussed in the final paper.

As far as being intimate: I realize that is an issue, and is why I said that you are open to answer whatever ones you feel comfortable with. Sexuality is something that is generally an issue brought up frequently from what I have seen in furry culture so far. Not discussing something doesn't make it not exist. I tried to word the questions in that way in a very vague way that isn't necessesarily loaded. You don't have to answer specifically what about something turns you on, a simple yes / no will suffice. I'm not here to judge people. Whatever floats your boat. The reason why I ask is because quite frankly there isn't a lot of academia out there on furries. The stuff that IS out there tends to clump furry and beastiality together. So far, although there is a low number of responses, the trend is that this isn't the case.
It seems to be all of the 'attraction' questions... all of those seem to give off the 'snide' tone. But as for recommendations on changing them... those are best left unasked in the first place in my own opinion.

But those are not exactly going into 'mature content' or anything rule-breaking... those questions are best left up to you on if you want to keep them.
Title: Re: Questions for the furry community
Post by: ephemral on December 05, 2007, 02:09:35 AM
Before I answer I'd like to define the terms so as to help in interpreting my responses.
Furry:
1.An animal character attributed with human qualities.
2.A "fan" of furries.
Fan:
1.An ardent devotee; an enthusiast.

How old are you?

26-27


Are you a member of a local furry community where you live?

No


When did you know you were a furry (age, and / or a life event)?

When I became aware of what a furry is.
I believe that occurred early after I graduated high school about ten years ago.
Though I became interested in furries years earlier.


Were you born furry?

No, that's not possible.


Do you have an entire fursona?

Yes.


Is it an entirely new 'entity' or is it an extension of yourself ?

Needless to say it is new in it's physical form, but quite the same in personality.
I can only say so much for the personality as I don't devote an extensive amount of time to it nor do I
analyze it much either. So, yes and no.
It depends on how you define "entirely".


If you have two 'entities', do other people have to address you as a furry when you 'suit up', or do you still socialize as john doe?

I'd have to apply "suit up" to mean when ever I'm "in character" or participating in an activity such as chatting or
forum/instant message role playing.
Being that I use my character's name as an  internet handle and the personalities are very much the same
I'd say it's rather difficult to tell. The only time I expect others to see or address me as my alter ego is when
there are rules or given context to imply such rules of engagement.


If you did adopt an entirely different 'entity', do you feel you were forced into that, or was it a choice?

No, as my character acts as I would. I view my behavior to be the outward view of my
choices and actions. So, it was a choice.


Does your blood related family know you are a furry?

The ones aware of the term and what it means, yes. The others know of what interest I let them know of.
my interest in furries happens to be one of those.


Do you still live at home?

Yes.


Do you consider yourself 'transcended' into a furry and no longer consider yourself human?

No.


Do you feel you can interact with humans, or only furries?

Both. They're both humans. You may want to use the "furry" term "mundanes".
This refers to those who aren't a furry.


Do you consider it a lifestyle? how so?

No because it is only an interest to me.
I only consider myself a fan to a certain degree.


Do you find attraction to 'ugly' animals as well, like squid, slugs, etc?

Specifically excluding sexual attraction, yes, but not many.


Do your fur activities extend to the bedroom?

No.


Do you still find humans sexually attractive?

A much as I can. I do have a very low sex drive though.
I'd rather not label myself as an asexual though.


Do you find a sexual attraction to animals, or only furries?

No, only the anthropomorphic qualities.


How would you rate your self esteem in your childhood, and your self esteem now?

As a child my self esteem was high and now I'd say it is lower, not much, but different as I'm aware of much more now.


As you were thinking of the answers to previous questions, were you thinking of them as your 'human' self or as your fursona?

I thought of them as myself.
You may respect my answers to be proper and truthful.
Title: Re: Questions for the furry community
Post by: ¿ Jesse Pawman ? on December 05, 2007, 02:39:56 AM
How old are you? (if you don't feel comfortable putting your actual age, put a demographic: 13-18, 19-22, 23-27, 28-32, 33+) 16


Are you a member of a local furry community where you live? How large is it? I am not a member of the local furry community because I don't think there IS a community.


When did you know you were a furry (age, and / or a life event)? I discovered it on IMVU actually. I noticed people were talking to me had skins on, and I asked them what they were. They told me and I said something like, "Oh my gosh that's what I feel like!"


Were you born furry? Nope. completely bald. However, I probably was born with the belief.


Do you have an entire fursona? Is it an entirely new 'entity' or is it an extension of yourself (i.e. when you 'suit up', to whatever extent you do, are you still john doe, or do you become someone else?) I'm a totally different person when I get into fursona mode.


If you have two 'entities', do other people have to address you as a furry when you 'suit up', or do you still socialize as john doe? I'm not sure what you're asking of this question.


If you did adopt an entirely different 'entity', do you feel you were forced into that, or was it a choice? I feel that I made the choice myself.


Does your blood related family know you are a furry? Yes but they have no clue what a furry is.


Do you still live at home? yes


Do you consider yourself 'transcended' into a furry and no longer consider yourself human? I consider myself a furry, but I still have that human quality in me.


Do you feel you can interact with humans, or only furries? Both


Do you consider it a lifestyle? how so? It's an interest. Not a lifestyle. I'm not totally thinking about my furriness every second of my life.


Do you find attraction to 'ugly' animals as well, like squid, slugs, etc? No, unless that's someone's fursona, but not the actual animal.


Does your fur activites extend to the bedroom? do you still find humans sexually attractive? I'm still a virgin and I plan to keep it that way.


Do you find a sexual attraction to animals, or only furries?  Humans and furries.


How would you rate your self esteem in your childhood, and your self esteem now? I've always had low self esteem.


As you were thinking of the answers to previous questions, were you thinking of them as your 'human' self or as your fursona? Human.


Add any other comments you think might be useful Like ephermal said, you can define FURRY several different ways.
Title: Re: Questions for the furry community
Post by: Octavia on December 05, 2007, 03:04:58 AM
How old are you?
13-18.

Are you a member of a local furry community where you live? How large is it?

Nope. If we have one i haven't discovered it yet.

When did you know you were a furry (age, and / or a life event)?

I probably found out i was a furry when i was in about...10th grade...i found out others that were furries in ym school and now we're all best of friends

Were you born furry?

that is impossible on a galactic scale o_o



Do you have an entire fursona? Is it an entirely new 'entity' or is it an extension of yourself (i.e. when you 'suit up', to whatever extent you do, are you still john doe, or do you become someone else?)

i'm the same old me


If you have two 'entities', do other people have to address you as a furry when you 'suit up', or do you still socialize as john doe?

Well...I only tell my real name to friends and people i know. other then that i use my fursona name

If you did adopt an entirely different 'entity', do you feel you were forced into that, or was it a choice? It was my own personal choice

Does your blood related family know you are a furry?

Hmm...they might...i doubt it though...

Do you still live at home?

I live at home...or rather work...i am at work more hours a week then home...

Do you consider yourself 'transcended' into a furry and no longer consider yourself human?

No. unless by a freak accident or science experiment gone wrong i suddenly grow fur a tail and pointy ears...

Do you feel you can interact with humans, or only furries?

I can interact with both.

Do you consider it a lifestyle? how so?

maybe to a certain extent but doubt it

Do you find attraction to 'ugly' animals as well, like squid, slugs, etc?

somewhat...it kinda depends...

Does your fur activities extend to the bedroom? do you still find humans sexually attractive?

No they do not. Uhh yea...we're all humans in real life...

Do you find a sexual attraction to animals, or only furries?
 to animals ? no.  to furries? yes

How would you rate your self esteem in your childhood, and your self esteem now?

average then and now

As you were thinking of the answers to previous questions, were you thinking of them as your 'human' self or as your fursona?

Both.
Title: Re: Questions for the furry community
Post by: ottodestruct on December 05, 2007, 04:12:52 AM
I've updated the questions, if anyone wants to go back and edit their posts feel free.

Also, again, thanks for those that have answered.
Title: Re: Questions for the furry community
Post by: ephemral on December 05, 2007, 05:30:39 PM
Quote
How do you identify yourself as a furry? Are you still just a person that happens to have a fursona / costume and you retain your own identity, or do you have an entirely new extension of yourself?


Instead of saying "fursona / costume" you should use the term "fur suit".
The question seems to imply that to be a furry one must own a costume.
It's a bit confusing. Perhaps if you want, split it up to cover both fur suit persona and overall furry persona.
Keep the first sentence and phrase the others in if then what questions.

Maybe something like...
How do you identify yourself as a furry?
Are you just a person that happens to have a fursona and you retain your own identity or is it part of your personal identity.

If you own or wear a fur suit, do you retain your own identity while suited, or do you become a new personality.(relates to in character and out of character)

Quote from: http://furry.wikia.com/wiki/Fursona
A fursona (pl. fursonas), is a furspeech (http://furry.wikia.com/wiki/Furspeech) portmanteau (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/portmanteau) of the terms furry and persona (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/persona) (or in the case of the alternative term furson, person (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/person)) and refers to a character or identity assumed by a person or player (http://furry.wikia.com/wiki/Player) normally associated with the furry fandom (http://furry.wikia.com/wiki/Furry_fandom).
Title: Re: Questions for the furry community
Post by: [D.E.M] zetsumei on December 05, 2007, 05:50:18 PM
1) i dont see how my age would be of any help  in a research project

2) there is no local furry comunity here, neither somewhere close for that mather... i think you can count the furries in my countries (Sweden and the netherlands) on 2 hands... or paws, whatever

3)i knew i was a furry when i noticed that my personallity was obviously similar to the one of a fox..... one of the only non-yiff foxes i guess, (yiff makes me wonder wether i really am a fox) and when i did a animal inside test and the red fox came out, it got pretty obvious XD

4) i try to keep my furry side down everywhere, except for on this site...

5) i dont have a fursona..... to create a fursona i have to find out more about my self, and then draw it from my hearth (yeah, it sounds cheesy)

6) like i said before, nobody knows about me being a furry

7) i still live at home

8) of course i consider myself human, although my personality and soul might be fox, i will always have my human body and atributes (if i wouldnt consider myself human, i'd not be on this forum XD)

9) the furry fandom can be a lifestyle, no doubt, but for me, its more like a way to finnally explore my own mind and soul

10) well, im a furry, not a scalie of some sort, and if you meant by sexual appeal, hell no, yiff makes me wonder wether im really on the right side sometimes

11) i do not (as stated above) find any sexual attraction to any animals or furries, thats nasty

12) my self esteem has never been to high, i've been more like a shy and at the same time curious guy.... i've thought for nearly a month until finnally exposing myself on this site, so yeah...

13) you shouldn't see furry as yiff or any kind of zoophillic stuff, being a furry is being a animal inside in my oppinion, yiff is for those turned on by humans with feral attributes and i personally think that a lot of the furverts (not all of them) are considering themselves furry for no other reason but the corn
Title: Re: Questions for the furry community
Post by: JFPulse on December 06, 2007, 11:59:39 AM
How old are you?
     27

Are you a member of a local furry community where you live? How large is it?
     I am not a member of any local furry organizations, but I do associate with a few local furries, and I have attended a local furry gathering with over 200 other attendees.

When did you know you were a furry (age, and / or a life event)? Were you born knowing you were a furry?
     By sheer happenstance I suppose I was born a furry, but that's really only a technicality. (My surname is Collie.) I did not realize my furriness until 1999 when I entered college, and I did not become active in the lifestyle until earlier this year.

How do you identify yourself as a furry? Are you just a person that happens to have a fursona and you retain your own identity, or is it part of your personal identity?
     I now accept my fursona as part of who I am. I find that among my friends and associates I sometimes have to play the role of a human in order to fit in.

If you choose to identify as an entirely different fursona while 'suited', do other people have to address you as your fursona, or do you still respond and socialize as john doe?
     While I do not currently own a fur suit I would like to someday, and I can easily imagine refusing to respond to my birth name while wearing it. I have noticed that there is a completely transformative mystique surrounding the fur suit such that many fur suiters refuse to don or remove their outfit in sight of others. At the gathering I attended there was a room set aside where fur suiters could cool down and remove their head pieces in privacy.

Does your blood related family know you are a furry?
     Yes, but they don't have a very good grasp as to what it means to me. Perhaps that will change this Christmas when I go to visit them again.

Do you still live at home?
     No, I moved out many years ago.

Do you consider yourself 'transcended' and no longer consider yourself human?
     There is no denying that I am still physically human, but as time progresses my fursona continues to reshape my personality, behavior, mannerisms, and worldview into something far more feral.

Do you consider it a lifestyle? how so?
     Being a furry is definitely a lifestyle because it dramatically affects how I approach life. Every aspect of my daily life has been touched in some way by my furriness.

Do you find attraction to 'ugly' animals as well, like squid, slugs, etc?
     I have a great kinship with bugs of all sorts and certain avians, reptiles, amphibians, and aquatic animals, but I must admit that there are large sections of the animal kingdom that don't appeal to me. As for your specific examples of squid and slugs, I find them both very tasty.

Does your fur activites extend to the bedroom? Do you find a sexual attraction to animals? Furries? Humans? Pick as many as apply.
     Humans I could take or leave, furries are incredibly arousing, and animals are appealing from an aesthetic point of view but not sexually.

How would you rate your self esteem in your childhood, and your self esteem now?
     My self esteem as an adolescent was pretty average for that age group. That is to say that I had to deal with self doubt and depression on a regular basis. What I find more interesting is the change that has come over me since the beginning of the year. I used to be relatively content though withdrawn and lonely, but now I feel as though I have truly found myself, and I am no longer held back from experiencing everything that I have always wanted to explore.

Add any other comments you think might be useful
     There is one thing that I have found interesting recently, and it relates somewhat to what I was saying about self esteem. As a furry I am no longer held back by psychological inhibitions, but I also am no longer held back by societal inhibitions either. Among the right group of furries society's system of mores and taboos seems to simply dissolve away, and we are free to rewrite what we feel are socially appropriate and inappropriate behaviors. For example physical contact among complete strangers (such as hugging and petting) is not only considered normal but almost expected, and conversation topics are not governed by what could be considered racy or indecent. I'm not really sure whether this is the result of a breakdown of societal norms (i.e. becoming more feral) or a construction of a new culture. All I know is that among furries I feel more free to be myself and to speak my mind.

I hope that helps.
Pulse
Title: Re: Questions for the furry community
Post by: Jean-Claude on December 08, 2007, 06:43:26 AM
How old are you? (if you don't feel comfortable putting your actual age, put a demographic: 13-18, 19-22, 23-27, 28-32, 33+)
13-99  ???

Are you a member of a local furry community where you live? How large is it?
No, but I used to hang out with a few people I met through an Online thing.

When did you know you were a furry (age, and / or a life event)? Were you born knowing you were a furry?
I used to pretend I was an animal-head person Online before I even knew it existed, in a chatroom for Brian Jacques' Redwall books. I sort of grew into it through a lot of those people when I was 13 or so.

How do you identify yourself as a furry? Are you just a person that happens to have a fursona and you retain your own identity or is it part of your personal identity.
I have multiple "fursonas," so it's difficult to say I really identify any of them as being the "real me." But it does make it easier to have an alternate persona to express things Online that I can't in the real world. It's more of a hobby and a community to me than anything else.


If you choose to identify as an entirely different fursona while 'suited', do other people have to address you as your fursona , or do you still respond and socialize as john doe?
Honestly, it makes me a little uncomfortable to use Online names. They seem so impersonal and unreal.

Does your blood related family know you are a furry?
No, I haven't seen fit to talk to many people about it. In real life I don't make an effort to talk about it unless it comes up, but my e-friends have a pretty good idea from my associations.

Do you still live at home?
Just a little bit longer. ):


Do you consider yourself 'transcended' and no longer consider yourself human?
I've always thought of myself as human first.

Do you consider it a lifestyle? how so?
More and more of the people I know seem to be from "the community" these days, but I really wouldn't call it a lifestyle.

Do you find attraction to 'ugly' animals as well, like squid, slugs, etc?
I am a sea slug. Splorch splorch. ):

Does your fur activites extend to the bedroom? Do you find a sexual attraction to animals? Furries? Humans? Pick as many as apply.
It keeps itself contained to the Internet. I have to admit I was young enough when I started hanging around in furry circles that I found them attractive before I did other people, and really don't find many real human beings very attractive.  =s It is really awkward !

How would you rate your self esteem in your childhood, and your self esteem now?
Spectacular.  ;)
Title: Re: Questions for the furry community
Post by: ottodestruct on December 12, 2007, 06:24:07 PM
Sorry I've been away - finals, projects, papers, etc.

Thanks for all the responses, again.

If an admin wants to close this, feel free - I appreciate the inputs given, but I realized I'm going about this in a way that in the end is just going to be criticized no matter what I end up with.

Thanks again.