Twenty-three years ago I did what seemed unthinkable: I became vegan. I had been a vegetarian for 10 years, and during that decade I considered veganism (avoiding not only animal flesh but also eggs, dairy foods, and honey) to be extreme. Surely consuming eggs and cheese doesn't hurt anyone, I told myself.
Visiting a farm animal sanctuary changed my opinion. I met cows rescued from dairy farms whose bodies had been so exploited that they had trouble walking. And there were chickens saved from the egg industry that had spent most of their lives crammed with four other birds in an empty cage the size of a file drawer.
That day I became vegan and soon discovered that I was in a minority. It is difficult to say exactly what proportion of the US population is vegan, with estimates ranging from 1% to 5%. But on average, only quarter of us identify as men. and between global vegansthe number of men also remains small.
It seems that many men have not adopted a vegan lifestyle partly because they feel like it”effeminate.” Meat has been inexorably linked to protein, and men have been taught that animal protein will make them strong. Likewise, the notion that plant foods are delicate and feminine is ingrained in many Western cultures, where men too often believe that only meat will keep them healthy.
Still study after study shows that vegan diets are not only healthy for humans but may also be the healthiest for the planet also. Meat and dairy consumption have been linked to a variety of health problems, including heart disease and certain cancers. Livestock farming also produces a significant amount of greenhouse gases, making it one of the main contributors to the climate crisis.
So is it possible to overcome the narrative that veganism is unmanly? I think it is. The solution lies in reframing the idea of masculinity itself, which (let's be honest) is just a social construct.
We can decouple masculinity from food or, better yet, demonstrate that veganism meets all the requirements of anyone who identifies as a man. Freed from the weight of what society expects of men in general and masculinity in particular, we can gain a broader and more authentic understanding of ourselves.
Stereotypical expectations of men, such as being strong, brave, and protective, can be seen through a vegan lens.
Male attitudes about food often focus on consuming meat to gain strength, reinforce their gender identity, and even dominate other species. But the most powerful land animals (think elephants, oxen, buffaloes, and rhinos) build muscles by eating plants. The ancient Romans may have also observed this, as gladiators, considered among the toughest athletes, adhered to saginam gladiatora diet that was based on plant foods, including legumes, legumes and cereals.
As another virtue that men take seriously, courage fits neatly into a rethinking of masculinity and diet. It takes courage to stand up not only to the slaughter of animals but also to the social pressure to eat meat. a young man told investigators When studying men's perceptions of meat alternatives, he was concerned about photos on social media of him eating at a vegan restaurant. “I don't want to end up with my friends laughing at me over a plant-based burger.”
Many men also pride themselves on being protective, especially protective of their family and home. From veganism means By refraining from the exploitation and consumption of animals, vegans participate in the protection of countless vulnerable species and the environment, particularly if they extend ethics beyond what they eat.
I suspect that men who mock veganism, like those who mock the leaflets about being vegan that I handed out on college campuses, feel threatened and maybe even a little embarrassed. What else could explain ridiculing a delicious, nutritious way of eating that is so much better for everyone? The benefits of a vegan diet are becoming clearer, as are the harms of consuming animals.
However, some men still feel the need to take a stance, as if their masculinity would be compromised if they even expressed interest in veganism. I found this at my old gym, a place where stereotypes of masculine strength are often on display. I would wear a t-shirt with “VEGAN” on the front in bold letters. Other men often acknowledged the message with a combination of curiosity and disdain.
“Where do you get your protein?” one asked me.
“From plants,” I said, to which he scoffed, “Man, you need meat to build muscle and be strong.”
“Tell that to a gorilla,” I said.
Mark Hawthorne is a member of the board of directors of the rabbit rescue nonprofit Save the Buns Inc. and is the author of “A Vegan Ethic: Embracing a Life of Compassion for All.”
