Meat, Masculinity, and Men

When it comes to the relationship of meat and masculinity, I honestly have never given it much thought.  However, after taking some time to think about it, meat and men do seem to be used together quite often.  When I think of meat, I think of a big piece of steak or a huge burger from somewhere like Hardy’s.  While I myself eat meat, these pieces of meat are often too large for me to even consider finishing.  I grew up in a household with two guys, my dad and my brother, and let me tell you, they can eat some meat!  They do eat veggies but meat is the consistency of their diet.

     Recently, I read some of Carol Adams’ book, The Sexual Politics of Meat.  Adams makes many good points about the intimate connection of meat and masculinity and how meat eating is also related to the oppression of women.  I like the example she gives of mythology, and how in a painting of Henry VIII, he is eating steak and kidney pie, while all of the women surrounding him are eating fruits or vegetables.  It shows how meat eating is portrayed as primarily a male activity.  Adams speaks on how we have even started trying to convey that if you are pregnant and want a boy, you should eat more “meat (or fish, vegetables, chocolate, and salt)” but if you want a girl you should stick to “milk, cheese, nuts, beans, and cereals.” Vegetables, fruits, and other nonmeat items are associated with women. 

     In history it is seen that the role of the woman of the household was to feed her husband first, then her children, and then herself.  This shows how low in the chain the woman is.  She was to stick to the vegetables and the “women food.”  The woman is the one who is to prepare the food for her husband and give him the meat that he “needs.” In Adams’ book, she discusses how in some parts of the world women can be punished for eating certain meats.  This shows how meat eating is connected with the oppression of women.  How is it simply okay to tell someone what he or she can and cannot eat?  On page 43 of Adams’ book, she talks of how meat is necessary for strength; therefore, men need meat in order to be strong.  I can relate to this, because I could not tell you the amount of times I heard my mom tell my brother that he needs to eat his food so that he could grow up big and strong. 

     When I look at the big picture of things, it seems to reveal that meat equals power, and given that meat is associated with men, it shows that men have the power.  So where does this leave the women?  In Ruth Ozeki’s novel, My Year of Meats, she writes about a Japanese housewife, Akiko, who is controlled and overpowered by her husband, Joichi.  Joichi is obsessed with the idea of the “All-American Family," and he even refers to himself as John.  He likes that the male is seen as a superior to the woman and that meat is a traditional American dish.  He continues to make Akiko make him some kind of meat every week.  This affects Akiko, in that, she is unable to properly digest meat.  She is also malnourished and no longer fertile; however, she continues to do as her husband asks in order to please him.  Ozeki shows how meat equals power through Joichi and how he associates his superiority over his wife with meat. 

     Another point that Adams makes in her book, is that vegetarians are primarily seen as women.  It seems that being a vegetarian as a woman is accepted; however, being a vegetarian as a man is seen as unmanly.  Simply because a man does not eat meat, he is no longer a man.  This itself shows how strong of a relationship has been built between meat and masculinity.  When meat eating is valued as a masculine activity, we not only devalue women but also males who choose to be vegetarians.  I feel like we place entirely too much emphasis on meat and how it makes men big and strong.  Carol Adams conveys many good points that express the sexual politics associated with meat eating. 

   This association of meat and masculinity can be seen in pop culture today.  Many commercials surrounding the very manly sport of football convey this relationship of meat and masculinity perfectly.  

I liked this picture, because it conveys Adams message in her book very well.

Manly men are supposed to eat meat!