This book explores the potential of men’s veganism to contest unsustainable anthropocentric masculinities. Examining what it means to be a vegan man and connections between men, masculinities and veganism addresses exploitative human-animal relations, climate change, and social inequalities as urgent and interconnected global issues. Using conceptual insights from critical studies on men and masculinities, ecofeminism, critical animal studies and vegan studies, this book examines the potential of men’s veganism and vegan masculinities to foster more ethical, caring and sustainable ways of relating to nonhuman animals and to contribute towards more egalitarian gender relations. This book is grounded in a qualitative empirical study of the lived experiences of 61 vegan men in Northern Europe. The themes explored include men’s transition to veganism, the emotional and embodied dimensions of men’s veganism, negotiating social and intimate relationships as vegan men, and links between men’s veganism, gender equality and social justice.
Author(s): Kadri Aavik
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 260
City: Cham
Acknowledgements
Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction: Men, Masculinities, and the Consumption of Nonhuman Animals in the Anthropocene
Eating Nonhuman Animals as a Driver of Global Ethical, Social, and Ecological Crises
The Potential of Plant-Based Diets
Beyond Plant-Based Diets: Intersectional Veganism as a Pathway Towards Ecological Justice
Men, Masculinities, and Intersectionality
Men’s Veganism and Post-Anthropocentric Masculinities
Research Design: Materials, Context, and Methods
Outline of the Book
References
Chapter 2: Going Vegan: Understanding Men’s Vegan Transition Narratives
Introduction
Key Features of Men’s Vegan Transition
“A triangle of reasons”: From One to Several Motivations Behind Veganism
“Snowball effect”: Becoming Immersed in Information on Nonhuman Animal Exploitation and Veganism
Beyond Facts and Reasoning: Practical, Material, and Other Factors and Circumstances
Construction of the Self as Unique: Performing Masculinity Differently
Meaningful Past Experiences of Connecting to a Nonhuman Animal or Eating Meat
Relational Veganism: The Influence of Others
Prior Values and Practices Facilitating the Vegan Transition
Distinct Paths to Veganism
Nonhuman Animals and Social Justice
From a Plant-Based Diet for Health Reasons Towards Veganism
Environmental Motivations
The Significance of Becoming Vegan in the Men’s Lives: Changing Values and Selves
Conclusions
References
Chapter 3: Vegan Men Making Sense of Veganism: Multiple Meanings
Introduction
Vegan Men Approaching Veganism: Multiple Definitions
Animal Ethics: Challenging Nonhuman Animal Exploitation and Anthropocentrism
Beyond Food and Animal Justice: A Nonviolent and Compassionate Life
An Intervention to Tackle Environmental Damage
Not a Lifestyle but a Political Practice
A Social Justice Struggle Amongst Others
Individual Boycott
A Means to Advance Personal Health and Well-being
Conclusions
References
Chapter 4: Beyond the Discursive: Emotions, Affects, and Embodiment in Men’s Veganism
Introduction
Men, Masculinities, Emotions, Embodiment, and Affect: Conceptual Insights
Emotions in Post-Anthropocentric and Ecological Masculinities
Men’s Embodied Veganism: Entanglement of Emotions, Affect, and Rationality
Nonhuman Animals
From Anger to Compassion
Health
Environmental Concerns
Conclusions
References
Chapter 5: Doing Veganism and Masculinity in Everyday Interactions: Men’s Strategies and Dilemmas in Communicating Veganism
Introduction
“The Social Side of It Is the Most Difficult”: Navigating the Social Terrain as a Vegan
Contextual Communication: Presentation of Veganism and the Vegan Self
“It’s Only Them Who Raise the Issue”: Avoiding Talking About Veganism
“I Don’t Wanna Be One of Those Preachy Vegans”
“It Helps Me to Remind Myself that I Also Have Been Eating a Lot of Meat”: Practising Compassion and Non-confrontational Approaches
“Planting Seeds”: Enabling Non-vegans to Reach Their Own Conclusions
Non-discursive Communication: Role Modelling and Signalling Veganism
Explaining Veganism: Animal Ethics, Environmental, or Health Arguments?
Terminological Dilemmas: To Mention “Veganism” or Not?
Conclusions
References
Chapter 6: Navigating Close Relationships: Vegan Men Relating to Friends, Family, and Intimate Partners
Introduction
Veganism and Community: Friends and Acquaintances
“I Live in My Little Bubble”
“I Don’t Really Have Any Vegan Friends”
Doing Masculinity and Veganism: Interactions with Non-vegan Male Friends
Relationships with Birth Family and Relatives
“My Mom Has Always Been Very Supportive”: Positive Experiences with Family Members
“It’s Like Banging Your Head Against the Wall Trying to Convince Your Close Ones”: Negative Experiences with Family Members Around Veganism
“My Dad Refused to Eat Vegan Food:” Relationships with Non-vegan Male Relatives
Communicating Veganism to Family Members and Managing Difficult Situations
Intimate and Romantic Relationships
Female Partner’s Influence in Men’s Vegan Transition
Vegansexuality: Negotiating Intimate Relationships
Conclusions
References
Chapter 7: Veganism and Social Justice: Vegan Men’s Gender and Intersectional Politics and Practices
Introduction
Ideals and Practices of Masculinity
(Re)framing Veganism as Compatible with Hegemonic Masculinity
Contesting Hegemonic Masculinity Through Veganism: Performing Alternative Masculinities
Cultural Ideals of Masculinity as Barriers to Men’s Veganism
Veganism as a Separate Issue or Part of Interlinked Oppressions?
Vegan Men’s Material Practices in Support of More Egalitarian Gender Relations
Greater Involvement in Household Cooking
Vegan Fatherhood: Concerns over Children’s Nutrition
Conclusions
References
Chapter 8: Conclusions: Towards Post-anthropocentric Masculinities Through Men’s Veganism
Men’s Veganism, Vegan Masculinities, and Gender Equality
Vegan Masculinity and Changing Ideals of Masculinity in the Anthropocene
Vegan Masculinity as an Ecological and Post-anthropocentric Masculinity
Limitations of This Book and Possible Future Research Agendas
References
Appendix: Overview of the Research Participants
Index
