1. Veganism, Identity and the Quest for Authenticity.
- Author
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Greenebaum, Jessica
- Subjects
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VEGANISM , *VEGANS , *GROUP identity , *DIET , *FOOD habits , *ETHICS , *AUTHENTICITY (Philosophy) , *SELF-presentation , *FOOD & culture , *PUBLIC behavior ,SOCIAL aspects - Abstract
Identifying as a vegan is a public declaration of one's identity morals and lifestyle. Veganism is more than a diet; it is a philosophy and ethic. However, not all vegans hold the same norms and values. The differences are often determined by the reasons why one chooses to become a vegan. Using Goffman's theory of impression management and the presentation of sell; this qualitative study examines how sixteen self-defined ethical vegans negotiate contradictions in their ethics and behavior The vegans construct a sense of authenticity through accommodating strategies when they feel inauthentic. This is a two-prong process. They present a narrative of themselves in relation to the "other"—those they define as health vegans—and in relation to other ethical vegans. Through these narratives, this paper explores how these vegans negotiate the difficulties of living in an animal-based consumer-driven society in a manner that preserves their ethics. Additionally this paper observes how they cope when their behavior contradicts their identity as authentic vegans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2012
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