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Meat Consumption and Vegaphobia: An Exploration of the Characteristics of Meat Eaters, Vegaphobes, and Their Social Environment

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  • Frédéric Vandermoere

    (Department of Sociology, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium)

  • Robbe Geerts

    (Department of Sociology, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium)

  • Charlotte De Backer

    (Department of Sociology, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium)

  • Sara Erreygers

    (Department of Sociology, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium)

  • Els Van Doorslaer

    (Department of Sociology, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium)

Abstract

This article highlights the importance of the dietary pattern of significant others in one’s social network to explain both individual meat consumption and vegaphobia, the negative and stigmatizing attitude toward vegetarianism and non-meat-eaters. Using survey data (N = 996), this study first contrasted convinced meat-eaters with non-meat eaters, or people who actively reduce or limit their meat consumption, in terms of different socio-demographic characteristics. Results showed that convinced meat eaters are more often male. A negligible effect on meat consumption was found for education, and age differences were not significant. Next, attention was paid to the social context of meat consumption. Specifically, results of a logistic regression analysis showed that a person’s meat consumption is considerably lower when one of their household members is vegetarian. This was also the case, but to a lesser extent, if people’s social circle included a vegetarian friend or family member. Similar results were found when looking at the linear correlates of vegaphobia using ordinary least squares regression (OLS). Vegaphobes were more often male and lower-educated. In addition, vegaphobia was more common among older persons and convinced meat eaters. Moreover, vegaphobia was less common among people who had a vegetarian in their household or groups of friends. The article ends with a discussion on the importance of studying the social environment in meat consumption and attitudes toward vegetarianism. Policy implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Frédéric Vandermoere & Robbe Geerts & Charlotte De Backer & Sara Erreygers & Els Van Doorslaer, 2019. "Meat Consumption and Vegaphobia: An Exploration of the Characteristics of Meat Eaters, Vegaphobes, and Their Social Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(14), pages 1-15, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:14:p:3936-:d:249876
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Paul Rozin & Julia M. Hormes & Myles S. Faith & Brian Wansink, 2012. "Is Meat Male? A Quantitative Multimethod Framework to Establish Metaphoric Relationships," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 39(3), pages 629-643.
    2. Fredrik Hedenus & Stefan Wirsenius & Daniel Johansson, 2014. "The importance of reduced meat and dairy consumption for meeting stringent climate change targets," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 124(1), pages 79-91, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Robbe Geerts & Frédéric Vandermoere & Stijn Oosterlynck, 2020. "The Functionality of Dissimilarity: Pro-Environmental Behavior through Heterogenous Networks," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-16, December.
    2. Shila Minari Hargreaves & António Raposo & Ariana Saraiva & Renata Puppin Zandonadi, 2021. "Vegetarian Diet: An Overview through the Perspective of Quality of Life Domains," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-23, April.
    3. Dannenberg, Astrid & Weingärtner, Eva, 2023. "The effects of observability and an information nudge on food choice," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    4. Andrej Kirbiš & Monika Lamot & Marija Javornik, 2021. "The Role of Education in Sustainable Dietary Patterns in Slovenia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-14, November.
    5. Fatima Canseco-Lopez & Francesc Miralles, 2023. "Adoption of Plant-Based Diets: A Process Perspective on Adopters’ Cognitive Propensity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-29, May.
    6. Yongsheng Zhang & Ilan Chabay, 2020. "How “Green Knowledge” Influences Sustainability through Behavior Change: Theory and Policy Implications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-13, August.

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