Food is an essential part of survival for all humans, it is ingrained in all aspects of our lives. Present day society, has altered the ways in which consumers view food culture due to the influence of factors such as, globalization, social media and technology. This paper will highlight the ways in which food influences an individual’s identity. In order to understand this notion, it is important to define the two main terms that revolve around this concept. Firstly, identity, according to the Oxford dictionary it is “the fact of being who or what a person or thing is” (Identity, n.d.). There are a number of factors that contribute to our identity however, this essay will argue that one of the main factors is food. Moving on to the next term, …show more content…
It seems as if there are two distinct categories which an individual can be placed in based on their food choices, one can either be seen as a good eater or a bad eater. This idea can be supported through Oakes and Slotterback’s research, “the goal was to examine whether routine consumption of a “bad” food (i.e., pie) for breakfast versus consumption of a “good” food (i.e., oatmeal with fruit and nuts) influenced judgments about the eaters.” (Oakes & Slotterback) Examining the results of this research based on the tables provided, the perceptions of good vs bad eaters are distinctly identified. The participants were given a number of scenarios which included a male figure and female figure either eating pie or oatmeal, they responded accordingly based on their perceptions of that scenario. Those findings which stood out above all were, those who ate pie for breakfast were perceived as, lazy, overweight and immature. However, those who ate oatmeal for breakfast maintained a positive perception they were associated with adjectives such as; healthy, clean, athletic, educated, health conscious and appearance conscious. (Oakes & Slotterback) Not only does this evidence support the argument that an individual’s identity is created based on the food consumed however, it also highlights a broader social issue that we as humans classify others into these discriminatory categories based on the food they eat. The term discriminatory is used as just because someone eats at a fast food joint once in a while, that one meal may not be reflective of their overall eating habits throughout the week. This then brings into question where we obtain these biased ideologies
“Food as thought: Resisting the Moralization of Eating,” is an article written by Mary Maxfield in response or reaction to Michael Pollan’s “Escape from the Western Diet”. Michael Pollan tried to enlighten the readers about what they should eat or not in order to stay healthy by offering and proposing a simple theory: “the elimination of processed foods” (443).
Pollan states that food is not just a necessity to survive, it has a greater meaning to life. Pollan explains how food can cause us happiness and health by connecting us to our family and culture. Warren Belasco, in “Why Study Food”, supports Pollan’s idea that food is something social and cultural. In Belasco’s description of a positive social encounter food is included, whether it involves a coffee date with a colleague or a dinner date with a loved one. Belasco states that food forms our identity and brings our society together.
In compliance with the essay, the title “The Pleasures of Eating” relays the thoughts of the author as he suggests that the true “Pleasure of Eating” is in the process, from personally growing the food to preparing it and knowing fully well the hard work and preparation needed to put the food on the table. The discussion does not stray from the topic at hand, rather it stays focused talking about important information with appropriate points. The points in this essay where each given their own merit by neither over nor underemphasizing any of them. Undeniably, the author assumes that most people access their information about food from commercials and do not actually put in any effort to know what goes into their food, though people do at least try to take a stand by seeking out organic food products; nevertheless, they are deceived as the government agencies set in place to aid them instead work against them with lax guidelines. The essayist observes the interactions between the consumers and their food; thereafter he reports based on his observations and creates this article to discuss this phenomenon objectively.
Sobal, Jeffery (2004), ‘Sociological Analysis of the Stigmatisation of Obesity”, in John Germov and Lauren Williams (Editors), A Sociology of Food and Nutrition. The Social Appetite, Oxford, Oxford University Press
Most people wouldn’t deny that food is vital to everyday life, but perhaps it has more importance than just simply nourishing our bodies. According to Carole M. Counihan, a doctor of anthropology, food is so important that society has constructed rules regarding its consumption. Counihan emphasizes in her 1992 Anthropology Quarterly article, “Food Rules in the United States: Individualism, Control and Hierarchy,” that these rules serve as the “means through which human beings construct reality” (Counihan, 1992, p. 55). Counihan advocates for the importance of studying food rules by explaining that knowledge about how food is viewed in our culture can do three things: improve understanding of other culture’s food rules, allow nutrition education programs to mesh with these rules, and reveal an aspect of society that helps maintain our current stratification system, which has not been thoroughly examined yet (Counihan, 1992). Through her study of food journals kept by American college students, Counihan argues that their adherence to food rules suggests that students strongly believe in self-control and individualism. Consequently, these beliefs reinforce our current social hierarchies, specifically classism, racism, and sexism. Counihan’s argument that our rules about food allow for the perpetuation of sexism is a compelling one that I very much agree with. I have personally seen my best friend plan her entire diet and exercise regimen based on what her boyfriend thinks. Although this article was written in 1992, I believe the message it conveys will still be applicable in years to come.
In Lavanya Ramanathan’s Washington Post article published in 2015 titled “Why everyone should stop calling immigrant food ‘ethnic’”, she discusses about people’s preconceptions on the type of food that should be labelled ethnic. Ashlie Stevens also touched on a similar topic in her Guardian article published in 2015 titled “Stop thinking and just eat: when ‘food adventuring’ trivializes culture”. She talks about how people assume that just by eating food from a certain culture, they are able relate to the culture as a whole. Both authors acknowledge the importance of appreciating authentic cuisines, but takes different approaches to convince the audience. Both authors establish credibility by using a wide range of substantiated evidences. While,
The identity crisis that is spoken of in “If You Are What You Eat, What Am I?” concerns the changes from an Indian diet to an American diet and the way it makes her feel. For her food ended up being one of the most important parts of her own personal identity and was the source of distress for her as a child. As a child she wants to fit in with her friends at school by eating American foods and she has concerns as to whether she is really her parent’s daughter or not.
Food has been used as a tool by many cultures as movements to help with their culture become recognized, to identify their way of being, and to show their class and status. By exploring different author’s articles, and movie clips this will be visible. Food has created many cultures to explore these outlets and in return has had a positive impact on their culture.
When we think about our identity we often think about the way we look. Such features as hair color, eye color, skin tone, height and weight come to mind. Whilst these features are part of our identity, there are many more complex factors that make us who we are. Whilst psychological issues are paramount to the formation of our identity, I will be addressing the nature of our identity in relation to socio-cultural factors (Austin, 2002, p.9). During the course of this essay I will be discussing the term of Identity and some of the axes of identity, including Race, Class and Gender. It is important to understand some of the significant issues of identity so that we have more of an understanding of who and what we are, which in turn may help us to begin to better understand others.
The phrase, “We are what we eat” holds some essential validity and truth to it. Food is a constituent feature of our environmental ties to where we subside. It is a part of our daily lives. It can act as a form of communication with other individuals. Food can be an indicator of the nutrition idiosyncratic cultural groups are practicing. Notably, which ingredients hold higher placement of emphasis in consumption from a day to day basis. The way food is assembled or arranged has specific meanings in certain locations. From humble beginnings to global acknowledgment, the diffusion of Hispanic cuisine and some of it’s signature dishes will be analyzed under domestic and foreign context.
The seventh grade health curriculum at Wayne Central teaches that foods are either gold, silver, or bronze; representing healthy, okay, and unhealthy retrospectively. This information is accompanied by instruction to not eat bronze foods and eat silver foods sparingly. Education that gives strict, polarized, definitions of food can cause adolescents to become pre-occupied with what they eat and dissatisfied with themselves. Welch, McMahon, and Wright conducted a study on the ways nutrition and health have become increasingly influential to children’s everyday behaviors and conceptualizations of food. The study included an interview of 32 primary students in which the children were asked, “What does health mean to you?” Students’ answers indicated extensive consideration was given to classifying foods as ‘good’, ‘bad’, ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy’. All students, except one who answered “protein”, defined “healthy” or “good” foods as fruits and vegetables, well omitting mention of other essential food groups. Sugar, fat, and “junk” food such as chips, cookies, and cake were among answers describing ‘bad’ or ‘unhealthy’ foods. “In the interviews the consumption of the ‘wrong’… food was always regarded as dangerous and transgressive, signifying ‘bad’ or ‘sinful’ practices…. The consistency and intensity of this message shapes the thoughts of individuals in ways that can conjure up feelings of shame and disgust” (Welch et
Food is traditionally considered as a simple means of subsistence but has developed to become filled with cultural, psychological, religious, and emotional significance. Consequently, food is currently used as a means of defining shared identities and symbolizes religious and group customs. In the early 17th and 18th centuries, this mere means of subsistence was considered as a class maker but developed to become a symbol of national identity in the 19th centuries. In the United States, food has been influenced by various cultures such as Native American, Latin America, and Asian cultures. Consequently, Americans have constantly Americanized the foods of different cultures to become American foods. The process on how Americans have Americanized different cultures’ foods and reasons for the Americanization is an important topic of discussion.
Food is one of human beings favorite addiction. From the arepas, to arroz con coco (coconut rice) there are many different platters from my cultural background. Being Colombian and eating Colombian almost every day brings me closer to these aspects from my culture. The way I feel connected to my Colombian culture is through its food. Many of the meals that I have eaten in my life come from my Colombian culture. Whether I’m home, at my aunt’s house or a family party something that is being made connects me back to my food roots.
Sociology is the study of society and people. Food and food ways are often elements associated with particular societies and therefore, studying such a topic can offer valuable insight into the ways of that society and the people who live in it. Although eating is a vital part of survival, with whom, how and where we eat are not. Studying such ways can illustrate and represent the identity of a person or group. The nature of people and their beliefs can be indicated when analysing their food habits. Who individuals eat with is a particularly revealing factor into gaining an understanding of their identity, culture and society (Scholliers P 2001). For this reason commensality is a term frequently used in sociological research concerning food and food ways.
When an individual gets hungry, he or she should eat whatever foods are available to them. However, culture, socioeconomics, and the general need to keep up appearances, complicates the process. Eating should be a great equalizer across all races and classes of humans, as we all share the fundamental human need to consume food to fuel our bodies. However, food is used as much as anything to put others down because they don’t have as much. In this respect, little has changed since ancient times. Research has shown that “modes of eating out have become a principal form of classical distinction”.