Gender based demographic research has long shown a significant gap between the number of men versus women who follow a plant-based diet. Women significantly outnumber men when adopting compassionate vegan lifestyles. However, recent research identifies a real growing interest among men who men who are genuinely interested in reducing their meat intake.
Despite this importance shift in mentality, social and cultural barriers continue to stall progress. Many men have identified misconceptions surrounding physical health and protein intake alongside fear of negative social perceptions which prevent them from shifting away from meat. There was significant concern about the risk of pushback or ridicule from friends and family. Furthermore, deep-rooted cultural stereotypes linking meat consumption with traditional ‘masculinity’ have prevented men, more than women from choosing the compassionate lifestyle.
Addressing these society barriers is vital to all of Earth’s inhabitants when we consider the massive environmental and ethical impacts of global animal agriculture. There has been suggestion of tailored nutritional guidance, accessible cooking education and building supportive communities for men. As public consideration of the compassionate plant-based lifestyle grows we must move on from our outdated gendered eating habits.