Thank you. I have noticed many younger vegans insist there is only "one path" to veganism (i.e. animal welfare) so they attack arguments made in favour of dietary health and environmental welfare. I find this unhelpful and detrimental to the cause of veganism. Let's try to embrace ALL paths to the same goal. Besides, education is an ongoing process. Keep sharing and growing!
Couldn’t agree more! I’m also primarily vegan to protect animals from needless suffering. But it would be absurd to pretend that the other arguments aren’t important — and also interrelated (climate change, for example, will not only affect humans but also animals).
What persuades someone depends on their own interests and values. Whether we like it or not, that’s just how it is. Using all the arguments we have is ultimately the best way to help the animals we’re trying to protect.
I won’t claim to speak for all younger vegans here, and I definitely agree that the climate change and health arguments are not only important but are probably more compatible for some people, but I have this intuition that the animal suffering arguments are more effective in a way, because they reduce the likelihood of moderation being treated as sufficient
For instance, someone who might be thinking about veganism from a climate or health perspective might think: “well, if I just have this 1 [insert non-vegan food here] just this one time, it won’t really be that bad for the climate/health. I mean I still am vegan most of the time!” The same just doesn’t hold true for animal suffering: having any non-vegan products directly means an animal is likely being killed and tortured needlessly. I also think people might be open to rationalizing non-vegan foods if they find that they are good for the environment or their health as well. In that sense, I view the animal suffering arguments as being more ironclad and perhaps therefore necessary to bring up. Maybe health and climate is a good hook but I’m doubtful that they can keep people committed to veganism fully.
You make a thoughtful point, and I agree that the animal suffering argument can feel more compelling and absolute to many people. That said, we need to use all arguments at our disposal—health, climate, and animal suffering—because different people are motivated by different things. While the suffering argument might be the most convincing for some, others might be more moved by their personal health or the environmental impact, at least initially. These can act as gateways to deeper commitments, including a stronger understanding of animal ethics over time. Using a combination of approaches helps us reach and resonate with a broader audience, ultimately advancing the vegan cause more effectively. And importantly, it's not mutually exclusive. You can highlight the moral argument about animal suffering AND complement it with other arguments (health, environment, etc.).
Unfortunately, I have met many people who simply do not care about animal welfare (yet). But they do care about their personal health and/or climate change. Like it or not, people have different values and we have to "meet others where they're at." That is how connection happens - and how education continues.
I completely agree. It’s the conviction for the animals that keeps one committed to veganism. If not for that, it would be really difficult to stay committed, especially in social situations where it’s easier to forgo your beliefs “just for a night”.
Other arguments are important but I see those as bonuses as I call them. Veganism is about the animals - end of. Why overcomplicate it?
I'm also vegan for the animals. But by showing other impacts of animal agriculture, we're not 'overcomplicating', we're simply showing reality as it is. And we are also making use of the fact that some people simply care more about themselves / the environment / climate / rainforests than animals. It's sad but it's true. Whatever their initial motivation, experts say that once people reduce or eliminate their consumption of animal products (even if just for health reasons), they are much more likely to open their eyes to the ethical aspects as well.
Hello Pala Najana. Thank you for this article. It's exactly what I needed to hear at this particular juncture in my vegan life. For the past five years being vegan, I have gone back and forth trying to reach and convince my family, friends and even strangers on the street the benefits of going vegan. Not much is working. I've tried everything, every day, from very passive conversations to super-aggressive protest and outreach, in person and on my socials. All with minimal success. I've only had one stranger tell me he was going vegan that day, and maybe a few people ask for recipes and such. The only thing I've been really successful at is alienating my family and good friends, which really hurts. Although I'm very cognisant and respectful not to ever shame them or even bring up the subject when we are together, it's still very awkward and the time they allot our visit is very brief. One thing I have learned in my efforts is that everyone is different and has different wants and needs and levels of spirituality. Therefore, my approach may have to be different with each of them, individually. I don't know how to approach the subject going forward, so I've been laying low until I figure something out. My goal this year is to find my most effective vegan voice. Of course, my son's non-vegan wedding in June, greatly adds to my inner struggles and confusion. Thank you for all of your help!!! I truly feel your articles and insight are leading me in the right direction. And I'm really looking forward to your upcoming article!!! Thank you, again! Best regards! Coleen ~ vegan for the animals!
Thank you so much for sharing, Coleen. Your dedication and honesty are truly inspiring, and I can relate deeply to your struggles—I’ve had similar experiences with my own family. For years, I tried every approach to convince them, but it only led to frustration and distance. It was only when I let go of the “conversion mentality” and focused on simply living my values with compassion that things started to shift.
It’s not easy, but your self-awareness and commitment to finding the right approach for each person are certainly steps in the right direction. Events like your son’s wedding can be challenging, but remember to give yourself grace. Your passion for helping animals shines through, and even if you can’t see it yet, you’re planting seeds that will grow in time. You're not alone. Millions of people around the world fight for the same cause. I think it's important to 'pick our battles' in the sense that we try to invest our energy in moments where we see a realistic chance to convince people. There are many situations in everyday life where I prefer to leave the vegan topic aside, because I simply know that a discussion wouldn't lead to any helpful outcome.
I’m so glad you’ve found the articles helpful, and I hope they continue to support and guide you. As I said, you’re not alone in this journey. Sending you lots of encouragement and strength as you continue to find your vegan voice! 💚
I think you really hit the nail on the head as to how attitudes can encourage change, at least when I reflect on my own experience. Before I went vegan I was lucky to have a few compassionate and inclusive vegan friends that introduced me to their lifestyle, and they absolutely embodied the points you've outlined here. A great reminder for what to strive for in my own life, thank you!
Thanks so much for your feedback and for sharing your perspective, Joe. I've had a very similar experience — just like most of my vegan friends. We didn't go vegan because we were shamed. We went vegan because people's awareness raising and kindness allowed us to draw our own conclusions.
This is a very thoughtful and constructive approach to vegan advocacy! Emphasizing empathy, compassion, and evidence-based communication is essential for inspiring real change. Your insight about avoiding judgment and fostering understanding aligns beautifully with the core values of veganism. This perspective is inspiring and highly impactful!
“ By fostering empathy, compassion, and genuine understanding in our interactions, we can inspire change far more effectively than through blame and judgment. An attitude of moral superiority will automatically put a wall between you and whoever you’re interacting with.”
Judgement is part of the human condition, as is shame. And I think both have merit. Many people, myself included, came to veganism because of the shame that we are complicit in a cruel and exploitative industry. My opinion is that we have far overcorrected and gone so far as not too appear judgemental (“it’s your choice,” “baby steps matter”, etc) that it’s created all of these allowances for people not to actually transition to veganism at all.
Re: defensiveness — as we know, people will get defensive even by the mere mention of veganism. I’m not even sure what being inclusive would look like without also downplaying the cruelties of the industry. We all have our own strategies, and I think they all have value, depending on the circumstance/situation.
Hey, first of all, thanks for sharing your thoughts! This article isn't about downplaying the cruelties of the animal agriculture industry at all. Check out my other articles and you will see that I'm all but downplaying - see, for example: https://veganhorizon.substack.com/p/end-the-largest-act-of-violence
Shame and guilt differ in that shame is a negative feeling about oneself, while guilt is a negative feeling about one's actions. Shame is counterproductive in persuasion because it can lead to defensiveness, withdrawal, or denial, undermining the message and hindering positive change. Guilt, on the other hand, focuses on behavior and can motivate corrective actions without damaging self-esteem. As activists, we should try our best to avoid shaming people.
Very true, Larkin. I love the Socratic method. By using questions instead of throwing our opinions at others, we create an environment where people can engage in reasoning and empathy themselves, allowing epiphanies and deeper understanding to emerge naturally — leading to more lasting and authentic change.
Thank you. I have noticed many younger vegans insist there is only "one path" to veganism (i.e. animal welfare) so they attack arguments made in favour of dietary health and environmental welfare. I find this unhelpful and detrimental to the cause of veganism. Let's try to embrace ALL paths to the same goal. Besides, education is an ongoing process. Keep sharing and growing!
Couldn’t agree more! I’m also primarily vegan to protect animals from needless suffering. But it would be absurd to pretend that the other arguments aren’t important — and also interrelated (climate change, for example, will not only affect humans but also animals).
What persuades someone depends on their own interests and values. Whether we like it or not, that’s just how it is. Using all the arguments we have is ultimately the best way to help the animals we’re trying to protect.
I won’t claim to speak for all younger vegans here, and I definitely agree that the climate change and health arguments are not only important but are probably more compatible for some people, but I have this intuition that the animal suffering arguments are more effective in a way, because they reduce the likelihood of moderation being treated as sufficient
For instance, someone who might be thinking about veganism from a climate or health perspective might think: “well, if I just have this 1 [insert non-vegan food here] just this one time, it won’t really be that bad for the climate/health. I mean I still am vegan most of the time!” The same just doesn’t hold true for animal suffering: having any non-vegan products directly means an animal is likely being killed and tortured needlessly. I also think people might be open to rationalizing non-vegan foods if they find that they are good for the environment or their health as well. In that sense, I view the animal suffering arguments as being more ironclad and perhaps therefore necessary to bring up. Maybe health and climate is a good hook but I’m doubtful that they can keep people committed to veganism fully.
You make a thoughtful point, and I agree that the animal suffering argument can feel more compelling and absolute to many people. That said, we need to use all arguments at our disposal—health, climate, and animal suffering—because different people are motivated by different things. While the suffering argument might be the most convincing for some, others might be more moved by their personal health or the environmental impact, at least initially. These can act as gateways to deeper commitments, including a stronger understanding of animal ethics over time. Using a combination of approaches helps us reach and resonate with a broader audience, ultimately advancing the vegan cause more effectively. And importantly, it's not mutually exclusive. You can highlight the moral argument about animal suffering AND complement it with other arguments (health, environment, etc.).
Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts!
Unfortunately, I have met many people who simply do not care about animal welfare (yet). But they do care about their personal health and/or climate change. Like it or not, people have different values and we have to "meet others where they're at." That is how connection happens - and how education continues.
I completely agree. It’s the conviction for the animals that keeps one committed to veganism. If not for that, it would be really difficult to stay committed, especially in social situations where it’s easier to forgo your beliefs “just for a night”.
Other arguments are important but I see those as bonuses as I call them. Veganism is about the animals - end of. Why overcomplicate it?
I'm also vegan for the animals. But by showing other impacts of animal agriculture, we're not 'overcomplicating', we're simply showing reality as it is. And we are also making use of the fact that some people simply care more about themselves / the environment / climate / rainforests than animals. It's sad but it's true. Whatever their initial motivation, experts say that once people reduce or eliminate their consumption of animal products (even if just for health reasons), they are much more likely to open their eyes to the ethical aspects as well.
We have to meet others where they are at in order to lead them where we can go!
Hello Pala Najana. Thank you for this article. It's exactly what I needed to hear at this particular juncture in my vegan life. For the past five years being vegan, I have gone back and forth trying to reach and convince my family, friends and even strangers on the street the benefits of going vegan. Not much is working. I've tried everything, every day, from very passive conversations to super-aggressive protest and outreach, in person and on my socials. All with minimal success. I've only had one stranger tell me he was going vegan that day, and maybe a few people ask for recipes and such. The only thing I've been really successful at is alienating my family and good friends, which really hurts. Although I'm very cognisant and respectful not to ever shame them or even bring up the subject when we are together, it's still very awkward and the time they allot our visit is very brief. One thing I have learned in my efforts is that everyone is different and has different wants and needs and levels of spirituality. Therefore, my approach may have to be different with each of them, individually. I don't know how to approach the subject going forward, so I've been laying low until I figure something out. My goal this year is to find my most effective vegan voice. Of course, my son's non-vegan wedding in June, greatly adds to my inner struggles and confusion. Thank you for all of your help!!! I truly feel your articles and insight are leading me in the right direction. And I'm really looking forward to your upcoming article!!! Thank you, again! Best regards! Coleen ~ vegan for the animals!
Thank you so much for sharing, Coleen. Your dedication and honesty are truly inspiring, and I can relate deeply to your struggles—I’ve had similar experiences with my own family. For years, I tried every approach to convince them, but it only led to frustration and distance. It was only when I let go of the “conversion mentality” and focused on simply living my values with compassion that things started to shift.
It’s not easy, but your self-awareness and commitment to finding the right approach for each person are certainly steps in the right direction. Events like your son’s wedding can be challenging, but remember to give yourself grace. Your passion for helping animals shines through, and even if you can’t see it yet, you’re planting seeds that will grow in time. You're not alone. Millions of people around the world fight for the same cause. I think it's important to 'pick our battles' in the sense that we try to invest our energy in moments where we see a realistic chance to convince people. There are many situations in everyday life where I prefer to leave the vegan topic aside, because I simply know that a discussion wouldn't lead to any helpful outcome.
I’m so glad you’ve found the articles helpful, and I hope they continue to support and guide you. As I said, you’re not alone in this journey. Sending you lots of encouragement and strength as you continue to find your vegan voice! 💚
I think you really hit the nail on the head as to how attitudes can encourage change, at least when I reflect on my own experience. Before I went vegan I was lucky to have a few compassionate and inclusive vegan friends that introduced me to their lifestyle, and they absolutely embodied the points you've outlined here. A great reminder for what to strive for in my own life, thank you!
Thanks so much for your feedback and for sharing your perspective, Joe. I've had a very similar experience — just like most of my vegan friends. We didn't go vegan because we were shamed. We went vegan because people's awareness raising and kindness allowed us to draw our own conclusions.
This is a very thoughtful and constructive approach to vegan advocacy! Emphasizing empathy, compassion, and evidence-based communication is essential for inspiring real change. Your insight about avoiding judgment and fostering understanding aligns beautifully with the core values of veganism. This perspective is inspiring and highly impactful!
Thank you for your feedback, Michael. As always, I appreciate and value your opinion very much! I'm so glad to hear this resonates with you. 💛
Very uplifting!
“ By fostering empathy, compassion, and genuine understanding in our interactions, we can inspire change far more effectively than through blame and judgment. An attitude of moral superiority will automatically put a wall between you and whoever you’re interacting with.”
Judgement is part of the human condition, as is shame. And I think both have merit. Many people, myself included, came to veganism because of the shame that we are complicit in a cruel and exploitative industry. My opinion is that we have far overcorrected and gone so far as not too appear judgemental (“it’s your choice,” “baby steps matter”, etc) that it’s created all of these allowances for people not to actually transition to veganism at all.
Re: defensiveness — as we know, people will get defensive even by the mere mention of veganism. I’m not even sure what being inclusive would look like without also downplaying the cruelties of the industry. We all have our own strategies, and I think they all have value, depending on the circumstance/situation.
Hey, first of all, thanks for sharing your thoughts! This article isn't about downplaying the cruelties of the animal agriculture industry at all. Check out my other articles and you will see that I'm all but downplaying - see, for example: https://veganhorizon.substack.com/p/end-the-largest-act-of-violence
Shame and guilt differ in that shame is a negative feeling about oneself, while guilt is a negative feeling about one's actions. Shame is counterproductive in persuasion because it can lead to defensiveness, withdrawal, or denial, undermining the message and hindering positive change. Guilt, on the other hand, focuses on behavior and can motivate corrective actions without damaging self-esteem. As activists, we should try our best to avoid shaming people.
Very true, Larkin. I love the Socratic method. By using questions instead of throwing our opinions at others, we create an environment where people can engage in reasoning and empathy themselves, allowing epiphanies and deeper understanding to emerge naturally — leading to more lasting and authentic change.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!