Chinese Food in the United States - Research Proposal Example

Chinese Food in the United s (Food as Culture) In the world today, there are some cultures that are more dominant. While travelling to California with my cousin we were arguing some of the cultures that we feel have become dominant in the United States. We argued on music, dressing code and even food. On food discussion, what struck my audience was the way Chinese food is being acknowledged in the United States. This was strengthened by the understanding that people were cautious on what they ate considering that they were health sensitive. Considering that there are other American foods, I was interested in how Chinese food culture has survived in the multi-cultural environment of the United States. In a nutshell, I believe that the survival of the culture of Chinese food in a multi-cultural environment in America is strengthened by Chinese value on food and health perception. Problem and Research Questions America is a multi-cultural society in which each group embraces its culture differently. Some groups are fortunate because part of their cultures have become dominant. In particular, the Chinese witness their food culture being embraced by different groups in America, despite the increasing change in cultural environment. Chinese food culture is not a new phenomenon in the United States. It has survived different cultural changes to remain dominant and being acknowledged by even non-Chinese group. According to Coe (23), Chinese restaurants have been increasing in the United States since 1784. I argue that the dominance of Chinese food culture in the United States results from its nutrition value. This research seeks to answer these questions: i. How did Chinese food overcome historical obstacles to reach the United States? ii. What factors help Chinese to continue using their traditional foods? iii. What modern factors enhance the use of Chinese foods in the United States? The goals of this project are: i. To determine how Chinese food culture overcame historical obstacles to reach the United States. ii. To identify factors that help Chinese to continue embracing their culture using food. iii. To determine modern factors that enhances the use of Chinese food in the United States. Background Change in culture is one thing that characterize the today United States. Historically, some cultures have been competing in the United States. The existence of different groups has seen each group trying to embrace their culture. For example, the South part is known to be dominant in the entertainment culture, unlike, the northerners who are dominating the academic culture. For Chinese group, they are recognized for the power of their food in this multi-cultural nation. However, this recognition has not come easily. According to Hayford (7), some Chinese food like the Chip Suey received opposition before they were accepted. In particular some used to refer to it as unauthentic. Despite such obstacles, Chinese foods have grown in the United States as characterized by the increasing number of restaurants since 1784 (Coe 34). Since the coming of Chinese to America, there have been numerous changes that are expected to influence a given culture. For example, there have been technological changes and change in roles. Despite such changes, most Chinese still stick to their traditional foods. According to Newman (n.pa.), the Chinese have shown slight changes in their breakfast and lunch. However, they still retain their old food cultures on dinner. Such practices are what have made their cultural practices on food still dominant. Researchers have also indicated that their sticking in this food is because it is nutritious (Lew n.pag.).Precisely, the use of Chinese food has been increasing in the United States making it a feature that characterizes the Chinese culture in this area. Literature Review There are a number of literary works on Chinese food in the United States. These works range from the time when these foods began coming to the United States. They also study on different factors that have strengthened the use of this food. According to Coe (23), Chinese food began entering America at the time the first Chinese visitors came to this land. In particular, from 1784, the use of these foods has increased. These travelers were significant because they worked to overcome ethnicity and export Chinese food in America. It is this early significant step that led to a number of cuisines being accepted. In 2011, a study by Hayford (7-12), reveals that several Chinese cuisines have undergone different pressures before they were accepted. In particular, the Chop Suey, which is now accepted was earlier rejected and deemed as unauthentic. However, it became popular after the Second World War. This was made possible by an increase in industrial competitiveness and increase in education. Since, Asian-American students have been using to symbolize their national heritage. What this article is revealing is that the Chinese people continued to value their foods, despite constraints as a way of representing their nationalities. Another study by Lew (n.pag.) investigated how Chinese food is perceived in the United States. Through a survey of students, the study revealed that 72 percent of its users believe that it is healthier. However, 28 percent believe it is not. This belief has led to some filing to differentiate traditional Chinese food and westernized food. Precisely, it is such perception that has made this culture embraced by both Chinese and Non-Chinese. Last, Newman (n.pag.) compares different studies on Chinese food. His study reveals that Chinese have slightly changed the way they use their foods. There are slight changes in breakfast and lunch. However, they still retain the traditional dinner. This researcher suggest that these foods are likely to change, although, their feeding habits will still be shaped by traditional expectations. Methods This study will use secondary sources in collecting data. In particular, it will use previous research, mass media, and web information. These sources will be helpful in answering the research questions. Previous studies will be used in confirming the answers to the research questions. Also, they would help understand different factors that have strengthened Chinese food culture, and how this culture overcame different obstacles. Mass media sources like newspapers will be significant in understanding current trends in the use of Chinese food. These sources will be supplemented with the web information. In particular, the later sources will be helpful in understanding current trends in Chinese food culture and how this culture in being protected. A source will be considered reliable if it fulfills one or more of these attributes: its author has a strong background on the topic, its peer reviewed, or owned by recognized institutions or organizations. Thesis I will probably argue that the survival of the culture of Chinese food in a multi-cultural environment in America is strengthened by Chinese value on food and health perception. Conclusion To sum up, this statement seeks to reveal what has made Chinese food culture dominate in America. Also, it will also reveal modern factors that support the use of this food across different cultures. This will be done using secondary sources. Works Cited Coe, Andrew. Chop Suey: A Cultural History of Chinese Food in the United States. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009. Print. Hayford, Charles W. “Who’s Afraid of Chop Suey?” Education About Asia, 16.3 (2011): 7 -12. Lew, Jason K. “Chinese Food.” Geneseo Food Research, 2010. Web. April 28, 2014. < https://wiki.geneseo.edu/display/food/Chinese+Food> Newman, Jacqueline. Chinese Food Habits in the United States. 1999. Web. April 28 2014. < http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/nutr216/ref/symposium_newman.html> Read More