Sociology of Food - Essay Example

Sociology Q United s and the European Union have the highest number of immigrants. Immigrants in the United States have an effect on the American cuisine. That is they are helping shape the national identity of the American citizens. Walking through any supermarket of food place in the nation is a constant reminder of that impact. There is the Pierogi from Eastern Europe, Tortillas from Mexico, and Papayas from Ecuador. Food expresses the culture of individuals and immigrants adapt their food culture into the American society (Mennell 41). That is the reason Pizza and French fries are part of the American cuisine despite the fact that they come from Italy and France respectively. In accordance, diversity of the American citizens is creating diversity in the consumption of food. This diversity is part of the American national identity. Despite immigrants contributing to American cuisine, the culture of American to eat junk food assimilates them into the society creating a uniform national identity. Studies indicate that when immigrants come to the United States they take up junk food because of affordability and so that they can fit into the American society (Fox 21). Research indicates that it only takes less than six years for the average immigrant kid to be at a risk of obesity like a child born in the United States. This is an indication that food does play the part in integrating the immigrants into the American culture. In accordance, it does not matter the diversity existing in any given society, the food consumed in such cultures will assist in creating a national heritage. The United States and the European Union are an example. The culture of the American society to eat junk food is creating a national heritage despite the diversity that exists. Q. 2 Currently, restaurants are trying to enhance gender roles. This is a response to the current trend in the society. In the United States, the culture of eating out is increasing. This is because of the significance it has in enhancing gender roles. When a couple is out on a dinner, the expectations of the society are that the man did ask the woman out. In accordance, they will pull the chair for the woman to sit (Belasco and Scranton 71). The courting process of the modern society includes eating out with the spouses for the completion of the process. Food is at the centre of the process. The food that people will eat when they are out will depend on their age and social class. Restaurants are trying to enforce these gender roles as a response to the society. In accordance, they have cuisines that are specifically for a couple that is eating out. Part of the cuisines will be for the woman while the other portion is for the man in the couple (Mennell 51). This is the reason that restaurants have become popular in the United States among couples. Men will have a feeling that they engage themselves in the activity there will be amplification of their roles. On the other hand, restraints will amplify the feminism of the woman through gender roles. In addition, women will serve cuisines that are feminine while men serve masculine cuisines. Q.3 It is possible to use food in the process of building social relationship and networks. Food and food customs can also be applicable in excluding others. Various societies around the world consider not knowing how to eat properly as the status of an outsider. This is relative depending on the region. Classes within a society exclude themselves using table manners. They have their unique way of preparing food, cooking it, and serving that food. The way of eating also indicates if an individual is from that society. In Japan, tea ceremonies are for experienced individuals within the society. In western countries, it is possible to spot social climber through their inabilities of mastering the art of eating. Issues like using the wrong folk are things that indicate that an individual is an outsider. To integrate into a group, individuals have to eat with that group. In accordance, they have to learn how such group interacts with each other and their eating habits. This has the meaning that one will have to learn their food etiquette. High-class individuals will consider shoveling food into their mouth with a fork is at the height as barbarity. On the other hand, other social classes will consider this to have indelicacy (Fox 20). In accordance, an individual from either group will have difficulty integrating themselves into the other group. This is a clear indication that food and food customs are applicable in the process of excluding individuals from a give social class. Currently, social classes from various regions use eating habits to exclude themselves from the rest of society. Q. 4 Social boundaries created by food became apparent in the presence of foreigner or if an individual travels into a foreign country. The French traditionally fed on white bread and wine while their German counterparts opted for black. Social boundaries between the two countries such that the French could not bear eating food considered German. According to them, drinking beverage means that they drink the soul of the vine owner. In accordance, Germany and France engaged in wars on not only the battlefield, but also their diets. In modern England, housewives cook their tea in a given manner (Mancini 541). That is why they will tear up teabags so that they can have cook proper tea. There is no difference between the two teas but their society does require them to adhere to rules. That is why individuals visiting foreign countries in most cases will find themselves from the rest of the people. Food and food customs have the capability of creating societal boundaries. In the United States, immigrants that move into the country have to change their eating habits. That is the reason that despite bring their cultures into the United States, they have to adapt to their eating etiquette. This is when trying to enter social boundaries created by food. Social classes also use food and food ways to create social boundaries. For social acceptance into such classes, individuals have to indicate that they understand the culture of such groups. A central part of the culture is the food that they eat and ways of eating that food. High social classes regard pizza, French fries, fish, and snails as of low social class despite nutritional benefits. In accordance, food and cultures related to food have the capability of creating social boundaries. Work Cited Fox, Robin. Food and Eating: An Anthropological Perspective. Social Issues Research Centre, 2006. Web. 29 October 2012. . Mancini, Stefania. Gender Roles, eating disorder symptoms, and body image concern in ballet dancers. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 61 (2006): 529-535. Print. Mennell, Stephen. All Manner of Food. 2nd ed. Chicago: University of Illinois, 1996. Print. Belasco Warren, and Philip Scranton. Food Nations: Selling Taste in Consumers Societies. New York: Routledge, 2002. Print Read More