Meat and Masculinity
What makes a man? It's not steak.
I’ve lost count of the number of times in the last twenty-six years my husband was asked if he would still be vegan if I weren’t around—as if the moment I wasn’t looking, he’d run for the nearest steak.
There has long been a connection in the public’s mind between eating meat and being masculine. Meat is macho; plant foods, effeminate. Meat connotes virility; plant foods, weakness. The media and those in the business of selling animal flesh reinforce these tropes with tired stereotypes and offensive ads, shaping the cultural perception that veggie burgers are for wimps, quinoa is emasculating, and tofu will cause men to grow breasts.
Real men eat meat, so we’re told.
At this point, I’m supposed to counter these cliches by pointing out the fact that elephant bulls and silverback gorillas — two of the strongest mammals on Earth —build muscle by eating plants and that countless vegan bodybuilders and endurance athletes are winning medals for their strength, speed, and brawn.
And while that’s all of that is true, that’s still a pretty myopic view of what makes a man. Having strength isn’t measured simply by the number of pounds you can lift.
Having strength is also about
standing firm in your principles
having the courage of your convictions, and
exerting control over your own choices.
Conforming to social dictates and being afraid to challenge worn-out cultural stereotypes (or eat kale) — doesn’t exactly signify strength, autonomy, and independence.
Taking responsibility, possessing a sense of honor, and protecting the powerless — all of these are traditional masculine attributes to be proud of, and none of them are strengthened by the consumption of animals.
In fact, I would argue it’s quite the opposite. Eating only plants and sparing animals demonstrates consideration and respect for others — and for oneself.
My husband will tell you that he became vegan 26 years ago because it aligned with his intention to live simply and to let others simply live. It’s his strength of character I admire most, and that doesn’t come from eating a chicken.
Real men eat plants, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
I’ll be sharing more about the origins and research findings that link meat consumption with masculinity in the public mind, but in the meantime, I’d love your thoughts. Have you noticed these associations in your own life? Do you think these perceptions are changing, or do they still hold strong? How have cultural expectations shaped the way we think about food and identity?"
Additional Resources
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