The exploration of feminism and meat consumption reveals the complex ties between women’s oppression and animal exploitation, as discussed in Carol J. Adams’s *The Sexual Politics of Meat*. The book highlights how patriarchal norms are reinforced through meat consumption, prompting critical reflection on dietary choices. Nora Bouazzouni emphasizes the contemporary relevance of these ideas amid rising anti-feminist sentiments and critiques of meat consumption. The discourse challenges the compatibility of feminism with carnivorous diets, urging deeper examination of societal beliefs.
Exploring the Intersection of Feminism and Meat Consumption
I identify as a feminist and I consume meat. For a long time, I didn’t see any contradiction in this statement. Enjoying a juicy steak never stopped me from fighting for gender equality and advocating for women’s rights. However, everything changed when I stumbled upon *The Sexual Politics of Meat*. This influential work by American scholar Carol J. Adams, first published in 1990, is set to be re-released tomorrow by Le passager clandestin, featuring an updated edition by the author and translated into French by Danielle Petitclerc. In this nearly 400-page book, subtitled “A Critical Feminist Vegan Theory,” Adams makes a compelling case for the interconnectedness of women’s oppression and animal exploitation. In her introduction penned thirty-five years ago, she lamented, “[…] I find it disheartening that feminism does not identify the deeply rooted gender issues in the consumption of animals.” Her insights remain strikingly relevant today, as she explores how feminist discourse can inadvertently reinforce patriarchal norms regarding meat consumption.
During my reading, a nagging question emerged: by choosing to eat meat, am I inadvertently accepting a form of consumption of myself? Am I allowing patriarchy to consume me? This thought lingers, prompting deeper reflection on the implications of our dietary choices.
The Contemporary Relevance of Feminist Perspectives on Meat
Nora Bouazzouni, an independent journalist and expert in food and gender issues, penned the preface for this new edition. She has authored several thought-provoking works, including *Faiminisme* (2017), *Steaksisme* (2021), and *Mangez les riches* (2023) published by Nouriturfu. I inquired about the current relevance of Carol J. Adams’s ideas. Bouazzouni asserts, “It is more relevant than ever,” pointing to the resurgence of anti-feminist sentiments among young men, as well as a backlash from the meat industry aimed at preserving its market share by promoting meat consumption as a socially responsible act. This framing seeks to demonize vegetarians and vegans rather than recognizing their place alongside traditional farming practices. Bouazzouni emphasizes that the so-called “vegetarian peril” is a myth, just as the “crisis of masculinity” perpetuated by figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk is unfounded. She highlights the troubling connection between misogyny and meat consumption, noting, “Red meat is one of the most symbolically charged foods,” associated with virility and dominance.
Recall the uproar that followed MP Sandrine Rousseau’s remark in the summer of 2022, where she suggested that cultural attitudes must shift so that enjoying a ribeye at a barbecue is no longer equated with masculinity. Following this, a survey conducted by IFOP with 2000 men revealed alarming correlations: “Heavy consumers of beef exhibit significantly more sexist beliefs than those who consume meat in moderation,” indicating a troubling link between meat consumption and adherence to outdated gender norms.
To understand this connection, we can turn to Carol J. Adams’s pivotal concept of the “absent referent.” She explains, “Through butchering, we transform the animal into an absent referent.” This means that the identity of the animal is erased to facilitate the consumption of meat. Adams draws parallels between sexual violence and meat consumption, suggesting that both forms of violence are intertwined through this idea of the absent referent. Women, like animals, are often objectified and dehumanized, treated as mere commodities rather than as individuals. The cover of *The Sexual Politics of Meat* poignantly illustrates this theme, depicting a woman’s body as a dissection chart.
On March 5, 2025, Amanda Castillo will release *You Will Be Carnivorous, My Son* (Textuel), an insightful essay that examines how patriarchy reduces women to objects for consumption. She provocatively questions the commonalities among men like Gérard Depardieu and Frédéric Beigbeder, noting that they are all staunch advocates for meat consumption, often at odds with notions of consent. In her chapter “Women, a Piece of Meat Like Any Other,” she highlights how women are frequently compared to food, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and enabling a culture of violence.
Ultimately, the question remains: “Can one be a feminist and a carnivore?” Nora Bouazzouni previously addressed this in her first book and now clarifies, “While it may not be inherently incompatible, living in a society that upholds carnist ideologies complicates the conversation. As we delve deeper, contradictions arise, prompting us to examine our beliefs and behaviors critically.”