{"id":27514,"date":"2026-10-22T10:00:34","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T14:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vrg.org\/blog\/?p=27514"},"modified":"2026-09-29T12:41:55","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T16:41:55","slug":"study-examines-the-experiences-and-motivations-of-vegan-men-in-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vrg.org\/blog\/2026\/10\/22\/study-examines-the-experiences-and-motivations-of-vegan-men-in-australia\/","title":{"rendered":"Study Examines the Experiences and Motivations of Vegan Men in Australia"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

istockphoto<\/p><\/div>\n

by Reed Mangels, PhD, RD<\/p>\n

Consider these two pieces of information \u2013 Australians are one of the highest consumers of meat in the world (1) and approximately 2% of Australians say that they are vegan (2). The United States is also one of the highest consumers of meat (1) and a poll conducted by The Vegetarian Resource Group in 2026<\/a> estimated that 3% of U.S. men are vegan. Although there are undoubtedly cultural differences between the United States and Australia, a recent study from Australia of vegan men (3) may provide some insights into the experiences of male vegans in the United States as well.<\/p>\n

What is the study? <\/strong><\/p>\n

This study was conducted in Australia where interviews were conducted with 27 men who self-reported being vegan. They were from 18 to 58 years old and had been vegan for 2 to 36 years with an average of 8.8 years of being vegan. They were interviewed in-person or remotely for 40 minutes to an hour (3).<\/p>\n

What did this study find?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Initially many men chose to be vegan for health benefits or because their partner was vegan. Over time, the men reported that their primary motivations for staying vegan were their ethical concerns about the environment and animal welfare. A small number of men had ethical reasons for their veganism from the beginning; some reported their motivation for staying vegan continued to be personal health benefits (3).<\/p>\n

Most study subjects reported that at least one person, often a close friend\/partner\/family member, encouraged them when they were new to a vegan diet. In many cases this support came from someone who was already vegan although some interviewees reported being encouraged by non-vegan family members or close friends. Subjects said that it was difficult to be close friends with people who weren\u2019t open and accommodating to veganism and that their becoming vegan helped them to see who their true friends were. Sadly, some reported being ridiculed or ostracized because of their vegan diet. Male-dominated workplaces, such as in the construction industry, were reported to be less supportive (3).<\/p>\n

Men reported that, with time, they found that being vegan allowed them to express their values that had always been a part of their moral framework but which they had suppressed. They felt that their veganism created \u201ca sense of living a more authentic and purpose-driven life (3).\u201d<\/p>\n

What do the study researchers recommend?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The researchers who conducted this study reflected on their findings and made several recommendations (3):<\/p>\n