Copyright is owned by the Author of the thesis. Permission is given for a copy to be downloaded by an individual for the purpose of research and private study only. The thesis may not be reproduced elsewhere without the permission of the Author. From Carnism to Veganism: “once I knew, I didn’t want to have any part in it whatsoever” A thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, Aotearoa New Zealand. Emilie Rita Field 2020 i ii Abstract Widespread and intensive animal agriculture practices generate extreme suffering and have devastating environmental consequences; thus, veganism is a significant and timely social justice movement. On an individual level, becoming and being vegan can have far-reaching emotional and social consequences. This research aims to explore the experiences of the transition to veganism and of being vegan in a hegemonic meat culture. Assuming a Critical Animal Studies standpoint, personal narrative analysis was used to explore the stories of 12 vegans. Apparent was that the transition to veganism consists of various pathways involving a disruption in some form, critical awareness, engagement in moral reflexivity, and ultimately a determination made on the basis of core beliefs. The characteristic of openness and the personal value of justice appear to be critical in facilitating this process. Once vegan, experiences are generally different to participants’ previous expectations of veganism. They report hoping that the sharing of their practice on an individual level can lead to broader social transformation by offering examples of new ways of living and counter-discourses to the norm of carnism. iii Acknowledgements To my supervisor, Clifford van Ommen: Thank you for your open-minded support, your patient listening ear, and for generously sharing your invaluable guidance and knowledge throughout this journey. It has been a joy to work with you and a privilege to have you as my supervisor. To my whānau: Thank you, especially to Patsy (my mother) and Sean (my late father), who instilled such strong and abiding values in their children. I once heard that love is understanding. I am so fortunate to be surrounded by so many people who seek to understand. Ngā mihi nui me te aroha nui. To my darling husband, Jamie: For your kindness, support, patience, understanding, and love. The words thank you are inadequate. I am so grateful to have a partner who encourages me to follow the paths of my passions. To our dog, Alfie: Even though you are a privileged, white, male, with no comprehension of how lucky you are , you have completely changed my perspective and my life. We are fortunate to be your humans. To my amazing participants: My sincere appreciation belongs to those who brought themselves whole- heartedly to this research, openly and generously sharing their experiences and insights as vegans. I am inspired by your stories, your thoughtfulness, and your depth of caring for innocent, powerless, and vulnerable others. To the animal victims of carnism: We see you, we care, we are trying, we are sorry. iv Table of Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................................ iii Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................................... iv Chapter 1: Introduction and Context ............................................................................................................ 1 1.1. Carnism: A Brief Introduction ...................................................................................................... 2 1.2. Veganism: A Brief Introduction ................................................................................................... 6 1.2.1. A Growing Social Justice Movement ........................................................................................... 7 1.2.2. A Misunderstood Social Justice Movement ................................................................................ 8 1.3. Research Objectives .................................................................................................................... 8 1.4. Outline of Chapters ..................................................................................................................... 9 Chapter 2: Making the Case: Carnism and Veganism ................................................................................. 10 2.1. Carnism and Speciesism ............................................................................................................ 10 2.1.1. How Carnism Operates ............................................................................................................. 12 2.1.2. Measuring Speciesism and Carnism.......................................................................................... 14 2.2. Non-Human Animals.................................................................................................................. 15 2.2.1. How “Food Animals” Are Constructed ...................................................................................... 16 2.2.2. Factory Farms and “Humane Slaughter” .................................................................................. 18 2.2.3. The Human Toll of Carnism ....................................................................................................... 21 2.3. Veganism ................................................................................................................................... 22 2.3.1. Transitioning from Carnism to Veganism ................................................................................. 23 2.3.2. Self-Identity and Practising Veganism ...................................................................................... 24 2.3.3. Vegaphobia: Constructing the Deviant Other ........................................................................... 25 2.3.4. Vegan/Non-Vegan Relationships .............................................................................................. 29 2.3.5. The Personal Experience of Being Vegan in a Non-Vegan World ............................................. 32 2.4. Where This Research Fits .......................................................................................................... 33 Chapter 3: Methodology ............................................................................................................................. 35 3.1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 35 3.2. My Position Informed by My Story ............................................................................................ 35 3.3. Theoretical Framework ............................................................................................................. 39 3.3.1. Critical Animal Studies Standpoint ............................................................................................ 39 3.3.2. Social Constructionism .............................................................................................................. 40 3.3.3. Narrative Approach ................................................................................................................... 44 v 3.4. Method ...................................................................................................................................... 45 3.4.1. Recruitment .............................................................................................................................. 45 3.4.2. Participants ............................................................................................................................... 46 3.4.3. Interview Locations ................................................................................................................... 48 3.4.4. Data Collection .......................................................................................................................... 48 3.5. Data Analysis ............................................................................................................................. 51 3.5.1. Quality Assurance and Evaluation Criteria ................................................................................ 52 3.6. Research Ethics .......................................................................................................................... 53 Chapter 4: Findings and Discussion ............................................................................................................ 54 4.1. Early Years ................................................................................................................................. 54 4.2. Becoming Vegan ........................................................................................................................ 57 4.2.1. Seeds Planted ............................................................................................................................ 57 4.2.2. The Transition ........................................................................................................................... 58 4.3. Changes: Before and After Going Vegan ................................................................................... 63 4.3.1. From Meat and Animal Products to Flesh and