Contesting Anthropocentric Masculinities Through Veganism: Lived Experiences of Vegan Men

Description

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. 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