Running head: THE EFFECTS OF FOOD ON SOCIETY
The Effects of Food on Society
Ella Baer
Virginia Commonwealth University
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Running head: THE EFFECTS OF FOOD ON SOCIETY
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Question: How does a culture shape its food and how is food shaped by its surrounding culture?
Civilizations reflect their values in the food that they eat and these foods in return help to
shape their culture. Food and culture both change cross culturally. The type of food one
consumes is highly influenced by the resources around them, the people around them, their social
status, and many other social constructs. This paper will explore the effect that food has on its
surrounding culture and how people express their culture through food.
Food and culture go hand and hand because they are very much interwoven. When you
go to another country and experience another culture then you are sure to encounter different
types of food. Food is a huge part of social traditions in many different countries, the most
notable in the United States being Thanksgiving. Types of food are associated with events,
groups of people, certain seasons, holidays, and many other social fabrications.
One’s own culture influences the perception of another culture. This is seen in the article
From Sombreros to Sincronizadas in which Marie Sarita Gaytan (2015) explores the authenticity
of Mexican restaurants in America. Gaytan found that Mexican restaurants in America had
edited versions of Mexican cuisine that passed as authentic (p. 163). The food of a culture is
heavily influenced by the surrounding society. For example Americans have become accustomed
to larger portion sizes and at restaurants that is what they want/expect. This is visible in
American Chinese restaurants where the large portion sizes do not reflect Chinese culture but
rather American culture.
As a necessity to life, food is extremely important. Things that are important tend to
become a hot topic that creates controversy. There have been many controversies over time
about food production such as the ethics of animal treatment and subjects such as the use of
Running head: THE EFFECTS OF FOOD ON SOCIETY
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genetically modified organisms. Animal treatment within the food industry has cause an increase
in vegetarians and vegans. Companies now often use phrases like “free range” to sell their
product with the idea that their animals are treated better than other companies that are not free
range. The subject of genetic modification has sparked huge controversy because people are
weary of putting unnatural things into their bodies. These debates are not only fueled by society
and they also play an important role of challenging their values and beliefs.
Changes in food can cause a shift in the structure and function of a society. Probably the
best example of this was with the ability to preserve food. With new packaging techniques food
gained both a longer shelf life and also became easier to prepare. This made it easier for women
to be able to juggle having a job and housework at the same time. This in turn led to more
women in the workforce and a change in family dynamics. Another is a trend that is becoming
popular is cooking as fast and easy as possible. This is influential on the family dynamics
because in the past families all got together for dinner but that tradition is becoming less popular
with these fast food options.
Not only does food help to shape a nations values, but the nation’s values can be reflected
onto the food. For example- as stated before, the United States values time. People always seem
to be looking for a way to make things faster which lead to the development of fast food. As a
nation that values time so much it is no wonder that fast food is such a hit.
Another example of a groups values shaping food is religious groups that are very
conservative and traditional. In the article Nun’s at Work, Agnès Villette (2011) states that nuns
have been using the same recipes for centuries (p. 90). Their lack of revision to the recipes show
how there subculture is not very open to change and is very old fashioned. The preparation of the
food also is based on the structure of their religion. The monks (who are only male) prepare the
Running head: THE EFFECTS OF FOOD ON SOCIETY
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food that is deemed important while the nuns are left to make less important things such as cakes
and jams (Agnès Villette, 2011 p. 92 ). This is a reflection of the structure of their patriarchal
religion.
Another example of a way that society can influence food is the difference in food that
upper class people eat versus the food that lower class people eat. Certain foods are deemed as
delicacies and are more expensive. The expensive price stops lower income people from eating it
and creates an idea of fancy food. Food production has also been affected by social class in the
form of slavery and low wage workers. Although slavery has been abolished there have been
some reported cases recently. Undocumented immigrants find work on farms and get stuck
working for extremely low wages and in dangerous working conditions. They cannot report it to
the government because they are considered illegal immigrants. These immigrants affect the
prices of produce in super markets by making them a lot lower then if they got paid a decent
salary.
As civilizations developed and became more advanced globalization made it possible to
trade food with other nations. This greatly influences what type of foods are available and what
kinds of food are eaten. For instance there would not have been bananas available all year long in
America if they were not imported. Another effect of an industrializing nation on food are
advertisements. Visser (1999) explains in his article how advertisements play on a cultures
values to persuade people to buy food (p. 117) . An example he used was in Spain, he noted a
commercial in which they stressed the fact that a snack was made with real fruit. This shows
how the people in the country value fruit and that they want real fruit for their children. Many
commercials do the same thing by relating their product to everyday life of that culture to make
Running head: THE EFFECTS OF FOOD ON SOCIETY
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it more desirable. From this you can see that the food that people eat is heavily influenced by
society.
Many Americans are becoming aware that obesity rates are rising. There is not just one
simple reason to the rise in the overweight population but American culture has a lot to do with
it. In choosing what food to eat people often eat similar to those around them. There have been
studies that show that when smaller portion sizes are believed to be the norm then people eat less
(Spiegel, 2013). This can be related to how people want to fit in with a group. This is not saying
that people eat certain foods just to fit in but rather the people around them influencing their
decision.
Friedlander (1999) explains that food is engrained into a society and they when someone
changes cultures they create a blend of these two cultures. He accounts the influence of Jewish
immigrants on the traditions on American food (p. 4). One of the ways he testifies how food is
“engraved” in a society is the fairly recent development of cook books. For ages cook books did
not exists and Friedlander found that when asking an older person for cooking instructions they
simply did not know exact measurements. Another interesting thing about cook books is that
they document the changes happening in society. For example in 1901 a cook book was
published to help Jews assimilate into American society and in 1889 there was a non- Kosher
cook book for Jews (Friedlander, 1999 p.5). This non- kosher Jewish cook book is a great way to
show how food is tied to a particular culture because it allows a non-practicing Jews to still enjoy
ethic Jewish food. Demonstrating how the Jewish religion has a particular style of cooking
different than other religions.
Overall, food and culture are very much so interwoven. Different cultures have different
dining practices and social norms. Society does not dictate but influences different types of food,
Running head: THE EFFECTS OF FOOD ON SOCIETY
and food can also help to press for changes in a culture. Culture and norms influence the way
food from outside groups are viewed. It is important to note that one does not because the other
but rather that they work together.
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Running head: THE EFFECTS OF FOOD ON SOCIETY
References:
Visser, M. (1999). Food and Culture: Interconnections. Social Research, 66(1), 117-130.
Friedlander, J. (1999). Introduction: Everyday Life. Social Research, 66(1), 3-8.
Villette, A. (2011). Nuns at work. Gastronomica, Vol. 11, 90-93.
Spiegel, A. (2013). Food Choices Influenced By Social Norms. Retrieved from
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/30/food-choices_n_4505354.html
Gaytán, M. (2015). From sombreros to sincronizadas: Authenticity, ethnicity, and the Mexican
restaurant industry. Focused inquiry true stories narrative and understanding (p 160-180).
Plymouth, MI: Hayden McNeil.
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