{"id":776434,"date":"2024-09-02T09:10:02","date_gmt":"2024-09-02T13:10:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/animalrightswatch.us\/?p=776434"},"modified":"2024-09-02T10:06:56","modified_gmt":"2024-09-02T14:06:56","slug":"the-do-gooders-dilemma-how-do-you-know-someones-vegan-they-wont-always-tell-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/animalrightswatch.us\/?p=776434","title":{"rendered":"The Spiral of Silence: ‘How do you know someone’s vegan? They won’t always tell you.’"},"content":{"rendered":"\t
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While in the presence of a majority of meat-eaters, and to escape social stigma, many veg*ans avoid expressing their meat-free preferences. This self-reinforcing \u2018spiral of silence' misses an opportunity to set an example for others to follow, thereby perpetuating the current meat-eating norm. It also prevents the onset of momentum, and helps to explain why the meat-free movement has, as of yet, failed to reach the critical mass that is needed to achieve a societal tipping point.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\n

JAN WILLEM BOLDERDIJK:<\/strong> A growing number of people (privately) endorse the benefits associated with adopting a meat-free diet. Yet, the societal transition to a more plant-based diet is taking place rather slowly. Why do people’s private meat-free preferences fail to materialize in their daily food choices?… One potential explanation is that existing veg*ans are worried about social stigma, and thus may self-silence: avoid expressing their meat-free preferences during interactions with meat-eaters.<\/em><\/p>\n

When veg*ans self-silence, they also miss an opportunity to set an example for others to follow, thereby perpetuating the current meat-eating norm. Seemingly trivial differences in the number of people that hold a certain personal preference within smaller groups can, in the long run, result in macro-level consequences for entire societies. The tendency to self-silence among veg*ans may prevent the onset of momentum and could help to explain why the meat-free movement has, as of yet, failed to reach the critical mass that is needed to achieve a societal tipping point.<\/em><\/p>\n

Our results indeed suggest that, while in the presence of a majority of meat-eaters, and having no other ways to escape stigma, veg*ans may avoid expressing their meat-free preferences. This self-silencing could in turn discourage others from eliminating meat from their diet as well, thus perpetuating the non-vegetarian norm. Importantly, our theorizing also points a practical way out of this self-reinforcing \u2018spiral of silence’: do-gooders may feel empowered to express their private, meat-free preferences when they experience ally support. This may, in turn, facilitate other aspiring veg*ans to share their meat-free preferences too.<\/em><\/p>\n

In our study, ally support came from a physically present peer (i.e., the moderator in a group discussion). Although ally support is likely most powerful when it comes from physically present peers (i.e., exemplars), institutions may have a subtle, but widely applicable influence as well: new laws or standards set by institutions (e.g. a tax on animal products, default vegan meals in cafeteria), may signal that reduced meat consumption is no longer a minority practice that is associated with social stigma, but a growing trend. In other words, institutional decisions can signal that, although perhaps not always visible, there are allies who also follow a meat-free diet. This awareness may facilitate otherwise apprehensive aspiring veg*ans to make their meat-free preferences public during social interactions with meat-eaters. <\/em>SOURCE…<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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