Vegan Men: Towards Greater Care for (Non)Human Others, Earth and Self

Men’s Veganism: a Pathway towards More Egalitarian Masculinities?

“…Of particular groups of men whose food practices contribute to less violent (towards other species) and more ecologically sustainable ways of living, vegan men stand out as an interesting case. Previous research on veganism from the gender perspective has explored links between masculinity and meat eating, including veganism and vegetarianism in relation to men's identities and practices, primarily in Western contexts (see, for example, Hart 2018;Potts and Parry 2010;Rothgerber 2013;Sumpter 2015;Greenebaum and Dexter 2017;Mycek 2018;DeLessio-Parson 2017;Aavik 2023;Aavik 2021;Modlinska et. al 2020).…”

“…I have previously argued that veganism can constitute one tangible way for men to cultivate and practise greater care towards (non)human others, the environment and the self (Aavik 2021;Aavik 2023). Even if (some) vegan men do not consciously pursue these goals, they may inadvertently contribute positively towards these through their vegan praxis.…”

“…Even if (some) vegan men do not consciously pursue these goals, they may inadvertently contribute positively towards these through their vegan praxis. This can include aspirations towards and/or practising more egalitarian ways of doing gender (Aavik 2021;Aavik 2023). This chapter draws on and expands on these insights.…”

“…I don't think In assessing whether men's veganism supports gender and other forms of equality, it is relevant to examine the question of whether and how vegan men associate veganism with other social justice issues. I have touched upon this issue in my previous research (Aavik 2021;Aavik 2023), where I outlined two seemingly distinct stances on this: a) regarding veganism and animal justice as part of a broader social justice agenda along with gender, racial, class and other forms of equality and consciously cultivating awareness of and challenging intersectional injustices and b) not explicitly linking veganism with these other causes or even being opposed to making such associations. The first position was typical among some Finnish men in particular-those with broader leftist views and awareness of gender and intersectional issues (e.g., due to their educational backgrounds):…”

The place and potential of crisis/crises in critical studies on men and masculinities

“…Many aspects of bio-environmental-ecological crises are being pursued in and around CSMM, with multiple interconnections and overlaps. One example is food crisis around meat eating and associated environmental damage created overwhelmingly by men and masculinities (Aavik, 2021;Adams, 2010Adams, [1990). Another concerns transportation and how, in given income groups, women-men differences in energy consumption are largest there (Räty and Carlsson-Kanyama, 2009).…”