Transcript Food and society - Old

Food and Society
Food and Gender
Readings
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19. Vartanian LR, Herman CP, Policy J. (2007).
Consumption stereotypes and impression
management: How you are what you eat.
Appetite, 48, 265-277.
20. Newcombe MA, McCarthy MB, Cronin JM,
McCarthy SN. “Eat like a man”. A social
constructionist analysis of the role of food in
men’s lives. Appetite, 59, 391-398.
Social Organization
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Ways humans organize themselves into
families, social strata, communities etc to
achieve common goals
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E.g. reproduction, law and order
Broader than cultural group
Vartanian et.al:
“Understanding the social dynamics of food and
eating can help us to better understand the social
forces that influence people’s eating behavior.”
Food and Society
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1. Means of solidifying social ties
2. Food and social status
3. Food as a means of solidifying
economic/political alliances
4. Food and gender
1. Food as a means of solidifying social
ties
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People use food to build and
maintain relationships, satisfy need
for interaction
Brings people together, promotes
common interests, encourages
“bonding”
In many cultures, the exchange of
food is a most profound way of making
social connection.
1. Food as a means of solidifying social
ties
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Food as gift
Commensal Eating= Shared Eating
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eating alone is devalued
 ideal “real meal” is eaten with others
 Type of food/drink, style of meal reflects
nature of relationship desired or achieved
Sobal J, Nelson MK. Commensal eating patterns: a community study.
Appetite. 2003; 41: 181-190.
3. Food as a means of solidifying
economic/political alliances
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“Seal a deal” or contract
Reinforces, validates
friendship, social/political ties
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Sharing a meal can dispel
tensions when making political
decisions
Food is a pawn in military
conflicts, trade embargoes,
food aid (withholding or
granting)
The politics and economics of food
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Access to food= power
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Class, caste, race and
gender hierarchies are
maintained in part by
differential control over and
access to food, roles
regarding obtaining,
preparing, serving food
2. Food and Social Status
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Place an individual holds relative to other
members of society; within the social
organization
Associated with set of rights and duties
Based on gender and age in most societies
Food and Prestige
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Some foods are conspicuous
“class markers”
Use of expensive foods
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to communicate social status
facilitate movement, belong to
desired group
Expensive/rare ingredients;
time to attain or prepare
Switch to prestige foods often
associated with poorer health:
nutrition transition
http://www.wackyarchives.com/featured/worlds-most-expensive-foods.html
Food and Gender
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1. division of labour
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2. food distribution
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Responsibility for food preparation
is not equal to control over what is
served
‘men eat first, best, and most’
Women more likely to choose foods
to please partner than men
Food and Gender
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3. Food related attitudes
♀: health as most important
consideration when constructing a
menu
♀ with more education more concerned
about additives, as much home made
foods as possible.
Burger King: Gender and Food!
4. Food and Gender: Consumption Stereotypes
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Judgements about others based on their food
intake
Gender stereotypes pertain to both food type and
amount
Great interest in gender and food; proliferation of
food ads suggests influence is considerable
(Vartanian et al., 2007)
4. Food and Gender
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Strong male identity verified through what and how much
he eats
 more likely to say that it is very important to eat meat in
large amounts: symbolizes strength, masculinity and
power
 Less likely to avoid fat, eat fibre, eat fruit (Wardle et al.,
2004); more protein and vitamins (Levi, Chan, & Pence,
2006) and alcohol (Newcombe reading)
http://www.ihatethemedia.com/obama-drinks-beer-likehes-at-an-english-tea-party
http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2011/11/29/molsons-divergent-marketingcosmo-vs-playboy/
“Hungry Man” Capitalizes on
Consumption Stereotypes!
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaPcBwmCtiM
4. Food and Gender
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Consumption Stereotypes
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Female identity is verified through
what she is not eating e.g. meat
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Foods may be chosen which
symbolize lightness and femininity
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Does preparation matter?
Other Consumption Stereotypes?
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social appeal (including morality and
intelligence)
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health and weight
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Examples from paper?
(Vartanian et al., 2007)
1. Food in the
Enactment of Role
Play
‘…equating
food with burning energy to
complete tasks which allows
them to become these ideal
‘‘supermen’’.’
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Food in the role of
domestic masculinity
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Adjustment to partner food
preferences
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Parental role
Daredevil:
‘‘I don’t mind
taking
a chance. . .I can
eat practically
anything and it
doesn’t bother me
and that doesn’t
surprise me’’
(Kieran, 36–50 y)
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-23/manwoman/29733376_1_cooking-relationships-cricket-bat
http://www.healthyeating.org/Healthy-Kids/Eat-Play-Love/ArticleViewer/Article/271/healthy-eating-starts-with-parent-role-models.aspx
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Managing ‘‘the wife’’:
Matriarchal domination and
voluntary subordination
…men ‘‘abdicate control over aspects of
their domestic lives to a nurturing other
(generally their wives) and to enjoy being
cared for, while relinquishing any strong
sense of personal responsibility or need
to achieve’’ (p. 334).
Thompson, C. J., & Holt, D. B. (2004). How do men grab the phallus?
Gender tourism in everyday consumption. Journal of Consumer
Culture, 4(3), 313–338.
Contextual Interactions
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Food and lifestage
Peers:
‘When I am with my friends,I wouldn’t
picture myself eating vegetables’
Functional vs. hedonic:
‘when they do derive enjoyment from
food, they usually refer to such
behaviour in a self-critical manner’
http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/20
12/08/07/so-where-do-guys-eat-after-all/
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How do we eat around strangers? friends?
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Same sex? Opposite sex?