As a vegetarian, I am delighted to notice the rise in veganism that has taken place over the years. From Instagram accounts flaunting filtered avocado on toast and quinoa burgers, to Samuel L Jackson making animal rights that much cooler and Ryan Gosling that much sexier – a plant-based diet is making its way into the mainstream. However, what has come to my attention more is the gender divide that has taken place as a result of more men advocating a vegetarian lifestyle. It becomes clear when looking at the likes of Mary Mattern (NomYourself) and Ella Woodward (NutritiouslyElla) – who are met with a vast array of praise and admiration for their lifestyle and sweet concern for all creatures – in comparison to the likes of body builders and YouTube stars, such as The Hodge Twins and musician Professor Green. These male stars have also decided against eating meat, no longer wanting to be “savages” or “eating flesh”, yet there has been a conflicting reaction coming from their (notably male) audience:
I have to admit, that last one made me laugh. This association with masculinity – and its dominant and powerful connotations – and meat can be linked to the hunter-gatherer role of our male Neanderthal ancestors. Nevertheless, in today’s society the nearest most of us get to using our bare hands to retrieve animal products is using the self-checkout, or pointing at what chicken thigh you prefer at the butchers, if you’re feeling extra carnivorous.
So why is meat still manly? As social animals, humans have turned food into more than just a tool for health and sustenance. Food symbolises social strata, and has become a social event in itself (forget Jesus and Santa, it’s about stuffing our faces with the ones we love). However, with our relationship with food being just as personal as it is tasty, food has inevitably come to be associated with gender too.
Even in today’s modern society, there still remain traits that are typically deemed characteristic of men and women. Women are expected to be sensitive, caring, and empathetic; whereas a ‘typical man’ has a tough exterior, is practical, and incapable of looking beyond what is right in front of him (or for this instance, his plate). The feminine stereotypes are also common characteristics associated with vegetarians and vegans (along with being over emotional and hostile, commonly associated with women too, but anywho). As a result, a man who is saddened by the death of farm animals or associates a hamburger with greenhouse gas emissions just doesn’t sit right with many people. What guy in their right mind would order a bean burger at Nando’s for the sake of the chickens? But this isn’t even about the ethical side of vegan and vegetarianism. It is the question of how, in the 21st Century, is it possible that there are still men who remain reluctant to show pensiveness; to have the ability to make decisions undetermined by being ‘one of the bros’ rather than a ‘pussy’; who honestly feel that their masculine credibility is assured by ordering a 16oz steak at TGI Fridays with the nod of ‘respect’ from their boys? With the humorous yet influential culture of ‘lads’ and ‘gym-bros’, meat is muscle, both physically and symbolically: you must have stamina to work your way through 20 chicken wings and you’ve got to be ‘beast’ to defeat that 12oz beef burger challenge.
Yes, with meat or without, food should be a (positive) emotional experience, but it shouldn’t determine a person’s identity. A solid self-esteem should be able to stand alone and not be determined by your next meal. A strong character is the ability to make your own choices, whether or not you do decide to opt for Tofurkey this Christmas.
Edited by Imogen Hibberd
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