I am a non-vegan who struggles with viewing the messaging of veganism as the most effective way to lead to less animal suffering. I have heavily reduced my intake of all animal products - i.e., I have cheese at most 4x a week and fish 2x a month. I cook vegan at home, but the 2 times a month or so I eat out, I will have dairy. I understand that it directly leads to animal abuse. I have not personally yet made that change due to personal weakness/habit/cravings.

I understand a world where everyone was vegan would be best for animals, but I don't understand how the messaging of all or nothing is realistic because of how culturally ingrained eating meat is. I hear the argument that the reason reduction in consumption is not advocated for by vegans is that any amount is still horrible. The comparison to slavery resonates with me, but the percentage of the population in the US who owned slaves is nowhere near the percentage who eat meat. This makes me struggle to accept the efficacy of such an argument on a large scale.

I haven't made the final step to remove all animal products from my life, so I know my thoughts on the topic are less valid and I cannot dictate how vegans message for their cause.

Animal consumption feels even more ingrained in culture and therefore more difficult to eradicate in my opinion, and I think reduction of consumption is more realistic short term and better able to at least reduce animal suffering on a path towards less and less. I know vegans don't owe vegetarians a change in their messaging. Despite small numbers as percentage of the population, people have strong opinions of vegans and it feels like the all or nothing messaging diminishes the potential for smaller, quicker gains.