Men like meat because it makes them feel MANLY, study finds

"When you tuck into a tender rack of ribs, do you feel a connection to your caveman ancestors who used their brawn to hunt down their next meal? A new study has revealed that men like meat because it makes them feel manly. Researchers from the University of Bath surveyed more than 1,000 British men on why they enjoy munching on burgers, steaks, and kebabs. The results uncovered a link between higher levels of meat consumption and a notion that meat is masculine."

"'There are lots of good reasons not to eat meat or dairy products,' said study author Dr Annayah Prosser in an article for The Conversation. 'It might be for your health or for the sake of the environment. 'Or you might have moral concerns about consuming animals. 'Yet many of us continue to eat meat, especially men, who eat more of it than women, and are less likely to opt for a vegetarian or vegan diet.'"

A survey of 1,072 British men found a link between higher meat consumption and the perception that meat is masculine. Men who conformed to traditional masculine norms reported greater intake of red meat and poultry and were less willing to remove meat and dairy from their diets. Follow-up online discussions revealed mixed views: many men denied any gender role influence, while others admitted explicit or subconscious pressure to select meat when dining with other men. Health, environmental, and moral reasons against eating meat often did not override masculine identity and social expectations.

Read at Mail Online