Chew on THIS

PeTA's direction is primarily geared towards preteens, teens, and college aged kids. They are (statistically speaking) the most impressionable and have the strongest "need" to fit in. Many want to gain control of a world where they have no real say. They don't necessarily want to change the entire world, selfishly (for most), just their own. PeTA (through PeTA2) shows them the supposed answer in an "edgy" way. The promise to fit in with many like-minded peers, in a structured and (highly) one-sided environment. Your average teenager, or pre-teen craves social interaction and reaction, there is no secret in that fact. They strive to be different and find their own voice, while still trying to find a "clique" that will accept them. PeTA, for some, fills this hole.

Cyber culture in itself has become the proverbial band-aide for some kids. Using this fact and the surrounding psychology before mentioned, PeTA gains the ability to harness the teenage mind.

The need to fit in, in some cases is accompanied by the desire to "change their world", or to be in control when they feel they have none (as I mentioned beforehand). This factor can also be the cause of such problems as eating disorders and self-mutilation. Many (although not all) choose to be vegan due to the minimal food options as a way to eat and still be borderline (if not fully) anorexic. Many PeTA members also suffer from low self-esteem, making them in turn more susceptible to persuasion and peer pressure, the group mentality can become their own; the individual could now in turn promote or act in a way that he/ she wouldn't have before. Many of these impressionable minds can become blind to simple truths and facts if they are against or disprove what PeTA claims. A simple fact such as (but not limited to) "veganism won't be healthy for everyone", is disregarded and blatantly deemed a lie is far too commonplace. Kids are pushed to harassment and vandalism, while (again) most normally would not act in such a way; it is promoted as the "right thing to do". Kids are pushed into doing this organization's dirty work consistently. They are told and taught many harmful and potentially dangerous "lessons". Many could easily wind up in jail, or potentially even die as a result.

"Our campaigns are always geared towards children and they always will be" - PETA vice president Dan Matthews, on the Fox News Network This direct quote speaks volumes about PeTA's agenda and intention. Kids are impressionable, and will (with the right coercion) do much of what you ask of them. With this fact and with various personal-underlying factors, PeTA is able to manipulate the youth to further their own agenda.

In addition to all of this PeTA's attempting (through shock value and twisted marketing campaigns) to further their reach to a much younger set. A younger base is now being reached through violent and disturbing "comics" such as "Your Mommy/ Daddy Kills Animals" handed out outside of elementary schools (by PeTA's workers and members dressed in cute animal outfits. Perhaps due to the older set leaving?) PeTA is showing a disturbing trend in desperation. One must wonder where will they end?