Should We All Be Vegetarians?
TIME Magazine presents a look at vegetarianism from the perspective of both meat-eaters and vegetarians. The results of several related studies are summarized in the article, along with a discussion of the cultural status of vegetarianism and the various arguments in favor of and against vegetarianism.
Along with anecdotal insights and a broad discussion of vegetarianism, results from several survey are covered in the article, including:
- 10 million Americans considered themselves to be practicing vegetarians, based on a TIME Magazine poll of 10,000 adults (2002)
- Mintel estimated there to be 3.4 million vegetarians in the U.K., or 5.7% of the UK population, an increase of 2.6% from 1985
- 25% of U.S. adolescents called vegetarianism “cool” according to Teenage Research Unlimited
- 16% of 15 to 18 year U.K. old girls claimed to be vegetarians
- Vegetarians are rated more “moral, virtuous, and considerate” than non-vegetarians (Arizona State University study)
- In a survey of 11,000 people, 37% of those who responded “Yes, I am a vegetarian” also reported in the last 24 hours that they had eaten red meat; 60% had eaten meat, poultry or seafood