You Are What You Eat: Beef, Boy Kibble, and the Search for Manhood
The rise of carnivore aesthetics, lifting culture, and hyper-protein diets reflects a deeper crisis of identity, writes Michael Kimmel.
This article explores the burgeoning trend among young and working-class men who are turning to a diet of raw organ meat and an "ancestral lifestyle" to reclaim their masculinity in a changing world. Known collectively as the "manosphere," this group of men has turned to hyper-protein diets, lifting culture, and a reverence for beef and masculinity to cope with economic insecurity and a perceived erosion of traditional values.
The history of America's beef obsession, spanning over 140 years, shows that the desire to consume meat as a means of proving one's virility has been a recurring theme throughout American history. From Henry James to contemporary influencers like Liver King, the link between masculinity and consuming meat remains strong. These men, who feel their bodies are one of the few forms of capital they still control, are following a path that, while not new, may ultimately leave them unfulfilled.
Written by urgent.news from Time's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
