Soyboys

It’s no news that Western diets highly emphasize a strong intake of meat as a source of protein. Since a young age, we have been taught through nutrition studies classes that protein is a source of strength and growth and therefore should be at the forefront of every meal. However, in the late 20th and early 21st century, veganism and vegetarianism have rapidly emerged as an alternative way of eating. Plant based diets have been closely studied in recent years and are proven to be just as healthy and protein packed, if not more, than a typical omnivorous diet if executed correctly. Yet, there is still one demographic that is reluctant to believe this development— heterosexual men. In the West, women make up 60% of the vegetarian population and 80% of the vegan population, proving that men are less likely to adhere to either diet. Yet, when there is nothing biologically or inherently feminine about eating less meat, we must turn to cultural influences to explain this disparity in the numbers. For the sake of this argument, I will exclude the ongoing conversation about the convenience and accessibility of such diets, and instead primarily build upon the public perception of meat consumption. 

Since vegetarian and plant based diets spare the lives of animals, people who follow such diets are typically seen as more virtuous, thoughtful, and sensitive, all characteristics that are to be avoided by men with fragile masculinities. Heterosexual men have been trained to believe that showing emotion is a sign of weakness, forcing our society to coin the term “men don’t cry.” While this narrative is entirely outdated and harmful to the psyche of males, there is still a large percentage of the population that believes this trope, forcing men into toxic masculine stereotypes. Men must be strong, vigorous, and emotionless, all characteristics that are loosely associated with vegetarian eating today. As a byproduct, excessive meat eating has been deeply, culturally tied to masculinity while foods such as salad are viewed as feminime. This perception of different foods having a gender associated with them is not only wildly inaccurate and rooted in little science, but it only reinforces the hurtful gender binaries that we have implemented into our norm. Yes, we can relate it all back to the hunter-gatherer days, but we no longer live in the context of that society, so there is little reason to believe we should still associate meat with masculinity. 

If you still aren’t convinced that this is a convention in our understanding of food, take a look at the “I’m a Man” Burger King campaign from 2007, in which a flash mob of testosterone fueled men celebrate their beloved burgers and claim they won’t settle for “chick food.” Ironically in 2019, Burger King released their own version of the plant-based Impossible Burger, and most likely had to reverse some of the effects of their 2007 campaign. Despite Popeye having gotten his strength from spinach, these men are truly convinced that the cholesterol and fat in red meat is worth it to feel like a man. Pierre Bordieu, a highly praised philosopher in the field of sociology and popular culture even wrote in his text A Social Critique of the Judgment of Taste, “Meat, the nourishing food par excellence, strong and strong-making, giving vigour, blood, and health, is the dish for the men, who take a second helping, whereas the women are satisfied with a small portion.” In a 2010 Forbes article, “Grilling, Guys and The Gender Divide,” writer Meghan Casserly breaks down the attitude behind why women are supposed to be in the kitchen making all the side dishes while men are with their steaks at the grill. Spoiler alert, it’s so that men can feel more masculine. The discourse goes on and on. 

In 2017, online communities, particularly right-leaning chat forums, coined the term “soyboy.” Soyboy is typically used in a similar pejorative way as “snowflake” to describe men who are lacking masculine qualities. The term is derived from this notion that the hormones in soy protein decrease testosterone levels, and many confused men believe that soy based products are actually ‘boob-giving.’ This is yet another harsh binary that cis-het men have put in place that not only excludes the experiences of trans men, but is largely inaccurate. To set the record straight, the FDA actually recommends some soy intake as it can lower the risks of heart disease. However as with everything, it can be done in moderation. It has been proven that one would need to eat soy protein 24/7 in order for it to have serious adverse effects on hormone levels, and none of those effects includes ‘boob-growing.’ Not to mention, there are about a dozen other ways to incorporate protein into a vegetarian diet beyond soy, including beans, lentils, and peanut butter. Therefore, the term soyboy as an insult only goes to show that males are worried about the consequences of vegetarianism and veganism on their manhood. 

It is extremely important to inform and educate men of their implicit biases towards meat eating in order to deconstruct this narrative as a whole. In a study by the Royal Geographical Society, it is noted that “men who want to reduce meat consumption are embarrassed to eat vegetarian or vegan food in public.” Plant based diets are proven to not only be beneficial for ourselves, but the environment as well, and if we can give men the societal permission they crave, we can make serious advances towards breaking gender-conforming binaries, helping the climate crisis, and living longer, healthier lives.