I thought the age of this type of Woke wackadoodle crap was over. But, hey, it’s the uber-Leftist UK Guardian
What’s at steak: myths about masculinity and meat eating pose a challenge for the climate crisis
Eating too much of it risks chronic disease, growing it contributes about an eighth of human-made climate pollution, and there is evidence linking it to certain cancers.
But there’s no denying meat – especially red and processed meat – remains a firm fixture on dinner plates. This is especially the case for blokes, posing a masculine challenge to the climate crisis.
“In terms of pure consumption, there are very large discrepancies – and consistent discrepancies – between men and women in how much meat they consume,” says Lauren Camilleri, a social psychology researcher at Victoria University who investigates the connection between meat eating and masculinity.
The stereotype that men and meat are an inseparable pair plays out in research. A French study last year found motoring and eating habits led to a 26% emissions disparity between men and women.
The only reason I’m eating salads is I’m really trying to lose this extra weight. No point in lifting all those weights if kinda hidden by fat. Especially my abs. I can do some serious weight on abs machines. But, I do put meat, usually chicken, on my salads
Other research finds that, when adjusted for differences in energy needs, men still consume more meat than women. They are also likely to be more resistant to reducing meat consumption, and to adopting plant-based diets. The exception is when deteriorating health or a veggie-sympathetic romantic partner prompts a change.
Overall, there’s a persistent theme: many men see meat eating as an expression of manhood, and view attempts to force change to their diets as a personal – even emasculating – threat.
This likely stems, Camilleri says, from longstanding cultural and symbolic associations – the myths that meat is masculine and plants feminine; that men are hunters, women gatherers; that real men eat meat.
But as the planet heats up, the need has never been greater for men, and the men in our lives, to shake up meal time.
