This term paper is dealing with the high meat consumption in Germany and its occurring consequences.
Essays and dissertations dealing with meat consumption in Germany have been used as a basic collection of literature. Using neutral literature made it possible to give a broad overview of the topic. Besides one will have a closer look at its development and possible reasons for people to continue eating meat nowadays.
The meat inspection law means 'meat' when talking about fresh or prepared parts of warm-blooded animals, which can be used for human consumption. Despite this containment one has to note that marine animals and other not warm-blooded animals are used for the consumption of meat as well. Still, for the following paper Hellichs and Schroeters definition of meat is enough, because it deals mostly with cattle and horses. On this occasion we deal mostly with meat products, which are produced and used in Germany.
Since the last bovine spongiform encephalopathy crisis, short BSE-crisis, the industry must deal with a scandalous image on meat. Besides, bird flu, foot-and-mouth disease and different scandals with packaging lead to uncertainty within the German consumers. Their trust has been misused and people started to call for environmental friendly and animal friendly meat production.
Today the meat consumption minimally decreases with every year, but the global consumption is still increasing. This causes consequences such as the increase of meat production which causes heavy environmental damages, which are responsible for devastating global impacts. The question, why people still consume that much meat despite they know what impact it has on the environment, arises.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The development of meat consumption
Consequences of the high meat consumption
Why do people ate and still continue eating meat?
Summary
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This term paper examines the historical development and current state of high meat consumption in Germany, analyzing the resulting environmental consequences and the psychological or social factors that drive continued meat consumption despite these known impacts.
- Historical evolution of meat consumption patterns in Germany
- Environmental impacts of intensive factory farming
- Sociological and gender-based influences on dietary habits
- The role of industrialization and marketing in sustaining meat demand
Excerpt from the Book
Why do people ate and still continue eating meat?
“Meat is linked to many values and beliefs that have nothing directly to do with food”
Going back to the middle ages, eating meat was seen as a luxurious good that showed the society a differentiation between the upper class and the lower classes. One can say that meat structured the society and it was still actual in the 19th and 20th century. It has a lot to do with developmental theories and the change of societies. “Food habits have frequently changed, sometimes without a clear reason and regardless of national, class, gender or other kinds of borders”
It starts with gender and the typical stereotypes of women cooking in the kitchen. While women were responsible for cooking, men had to produce the meat. But this is not the only stereotype. When it comes to eating or consuming the meat one can also divide between men and women. Again, there is a stereotype of men not eating any vegetables but a lot of meat while women would prefer to choose vegetables over meat. Some studies also confirm that men prefer eating red meat, such as beef of pork while women prefer eating chicken or fish. One can say, that meat has a huge influence on society and especially on gender roles.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This chapter introduces the environmental and health-related problems of meat consumption and sets the framework for the paper's focus on Germany.
The development of meat consumption: This section traces the historical transition of meat from a luxury good to a mass-produced product through industrialization and changing farming practices.
Consequences of the high meat consumption: This chapter details the negative environmental effects, such as global warming, groundwater pollution, and resource inefficiency linked to factory farming.
Why do people ate and still continue eating meat?: This part explores the social, cultural, and psychological drivers that maintain high meat consumption, including gender stereotypes and historical food associations.
Summary: This chapter consolidates the main findings and argues for the necessity of consumer reflection and sustainable alternatives to current consumption patterns.
Keywords
Meat consumption, Factory farming, Environmental impact, Germany, Sustainability, Food history, Nutritional values, Vegetarianism, Dietary habits, Gender roles, Industrialization, Greenhouse gases, Consumer behavior, Meat industry, Food identity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this paper?
The paper addresses the high levels of meat consumption in Germany, its environmental consequences, and the underlying reasons why people maintain these dietary habits.
What are the central themes discussed?
The central themes include the history of meat production, the environmental degradation caused by industrial farming, and the sociocultural factors shaping current consumption.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to understand the correlation between meat consumption, environmental damage, and the social/psychological factors that prevent a shift toward more sustainable diets.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The paper employs a comprehensive analysis of historical essays, academic dissertations, and existing studies on consumer behavior and environmental science.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers the historical progression of meat as a status symbol, the shift to factory farming, its environmental impact (methane, nitrogen), and the influence of gender and marketing on meat consumption.
Which keywords define this study?
Key terms include meat consumption, environmental impact, sustainability, factory farming, and social behavioral patterns.
How did industrialization change meat consumption in Germany?
Industrialization and urbanization led to more efficient production methods, cheaper prices, and a shift where meat consumption transitioned from a holiday luxury to a daily staple.
Why do consumers find it difficult to change their eating habits?
The author suggests that the loss of connection between the living animal and the packaged product, combined with historical associations of meat with status and energy, makes renouncing meat psychologically difficult.
What role does the meat industry play in modern consumption?
The industry uses marketing to dissociate meat from animals and frames meat as a necessary component of a modern, successful lifestyle, effectively neutralizing ethical concerns.
- Quote paper
- Johanna Faust (Author), 2018, The high meat consumption in Germany and its occurring consequences, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/453064
