Veganism

Abstract

Put simply, veganism refers to the practice of avoiding the consumption of nonhuman animals. Veganism has become more mainstream in recent years and is receiving increasing academic consideration. Although veganism extends beyond diet, much popular – and indeed scholarly – attention centers on it as a dietary practice. As well as being a practice, veganism may also be an important aspect of identity, of identity politics, and can be considered a social movement in itself. Sociology is extending its reach increasingly to issues associated with (critical) human–animal studies, such as veganism, so much so that it has been proposed that sociologists who want to shape sociology as a more inclusive discipline should avoid the consumption of nonhuman animals.