A Vegan Diet Isn’t ‘Manly’ Enough For Australian Men, Study Finds

A study conducted by the University of Canberra found that Australian men who eat meat tend to associate meat consumption with masculinity, viewing vegan and vegetarian diets as less manly. The research, published in the journal Sex Roles, involved surveying over 5,000 men and women about their perceptions of gender and attitudes towards meat consumption. The findings suggest that eating meat is seen as a way to enact masculinity, with media representations of meat often portraying it as 'manly', thus reinforcing traditional gender roles.

The study also highlighted that a plant-based diet is considered a gender transgression for both men and women who adhere to traditional gender norms. Despite this, there is a growing demand for vegan food in Australia, with a significant portion of the population expressing a desire for more vegan restaurant options and meat-free products in supermarkets. The study authors suggest that rigid adherence to gender roles and eating habits may be preventing some individuals from exploring veganism, and advocate for further investigation into these attitudes.