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Do most ethical vegans allow their children to participate in nature activities like catching lightning bugs, collecting ants or worms and so on to observe, as long as they do not harm the insects and animals and return them to their natural habitat? I just received a nature guide for young children but I'm not sure how comfortable I am with all the activities. - Chris

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Dear Chris,

Ethical vegans do their best not to harm animals. There's no way to be perfect because many things are simply not in your control, for example sometimes you need life-saving medications that are animal-tested or derived. Everyone draws their line in a different place. But to the extent that an ethical vegan can avoid it, they will not harm an animal.

In the specific cases you are mentioning, I believe ethical vegans would not capture or otherwise interrupt the flow of the animal's life. To do so might cause the animal psychological harm such as fear or terror. Plus the method of collection might cause the animal injury, including one that is difficult for a child to see, like a crushed leg or antenna.

I do think it's wonderful to expose children to nature and to show them the wonders of the animal and bug kingdoms. I would suggest you allow your child to observe bugs, butterflies, ants, etc. but without interrupting the bugs' activities. Children probably learn more that way anyway.

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