Note

Lecture 10 7 Feb. 2017 SOCIOLOGY OF NUTRITION

SOCIAL FUNCTIONS OF FOOD

Food is much more than for biological purposes:   -life cycle and rites of passage – they have been hypothesised to signify changes in socioeconomic relationships and responsibilities -eg weddings, births, deaths, graduations, first communions

Food is much more than for biological purposes:   -food usages frequently symbolise social relationships –represented by displays, exchanges and consumption of foods. -if food symbolises social relationships then food sharing attitudes and practices are indicative of social structure

Food is much more than for biological purposes:   Food distribution and consumption -food is distributed to areas where it is consumed (market forces i.e. economics)   -food is distributed to and consumed by those in need (sociology) -food is distributed as an indication of welcome and compassion -Sept 11-Gander, Halifax, Moncton -consumption by those on aircraft- comfort in time of stress -food distributed to immediate family only (concept of nuclear family)

Specific social functions of food -prestige and status -status and food behaviour -food and fashion -status and food ownership   -food friendship and communication -peer acceptance -food as reward and punishment -food gifts and sharing -potluck -feasts and festivals

Specific social functions of food -prestige and status -status and food behavior -meats for example-significance of food type in terms of status   -impact on adequacy, balance,variety, moderation, nutrient density, energy control -waiting until head of house starts -waiting until all are present -executive dining rooms

Specific social functions of food -prestige and status -status and food behaviour -freedom to choose rare and costly items to impress others -freedom to select expensive restaurants for personal gratification

Specific social functions of food -prestige and status -status and food behaviour -freedom to prepare difficult and time consuming dishes   -such freedoms are highly prized- if one has a large array of choices then one has high status -the ability to choose is based on financial resources-choice = good nutrition ?

Specific social functions of food -prestige and status -status and food behaviour -in hospitals and institutions there are complaints- complaints frequently arise from lack of choice   -lack of choice (eg social assistance) may lead to purchasing eg alcohol- this is an escape mechanism- -impact on nutrition

Specific social functions of food -prestige and status -food and fashion -what characteristics does the food have -brown sugar -white bread -1930s and 1940s- bottle feeding the rage- breast feeding low class 2015-breast feeding feeding the rage

Specific social functions of food -prestige and status -status and food ownership -the more food one has the better off one is perceived to be -social agencies’ inspections  

Food, friendship and communication -eating together is an indication of compatibility and /or acceptance   -offering to share food is an offer to share a bit of oneself

Food, friendship and communication -peer acceptance -adolescents- junk food -strong willed youth who, at least with junk food peers, will not consume milk and salad   -such food is usually consumed socially within a youth environment of music, noise and company -parents may not allow such trappings in structured meals at home

Food, friendship and communication -food as reward and punishment -acceptance or refusal to eat with someone   -food as reward and punishment for children -consequences of this approach?

-Food gifts and sharing -potluck- a sign of friendship   -abundance of food leads to persons more willing to share -is this always the case? -expression of concern, sympathy or gratitude -homemade foods have a particular value over bought foods

Food gifts and sharing -generalised reciprocity -no expectation of return -no attempt to assess value of goods -no balancing out -examples

Food gifts and sharing -balanced reciprocity -occurs usually among social equals who have some sort of relationship -expectation of return -takes into account value of gift -examples

Food gifts and sharing -negative reciprocity -immediate exchange and strict accounting of value eg commercial transactions-eg grocery shopping

Feasts and festivals -choosing which feasts and festivals to attend will dictate one’s food choices -celebrate religious event- e.g. Christmas -celebrate a harvest- e.g. Oktoberfest, Thanksgiving