Foods become part of a process of marking boundaries and differences between ethnic cultures, religions, gender and individuals. While some foods are desired and edible in some ethnic cultures, others may find the same food repulsive and inedible. This shows that food not only serves to provide nutritional values and satisfy biological needs, but it also marks social differences. Foods as boundary markers is not only limited to edible and inedible foods, but what time of the day it is consumed, how it is prepared, and its association with other foods (Manderson, 1986: p. 6). Foods have also been consumed depending on need, want and availability (Wilson, 2006: p. 15). For instance, some people have resulted in eating foods regarded and inedible …show more content…
The close a living entity is deemed closed to humanity the less it is going to be viewed as food. For instance, dogs, cats, and other pets participate in society in the capacity of subjects and most are given names, some are allowed to live inside the houses, for instance, cats and dogs, and people sometimes converse with them (Sahlins, 1978: p. 174). Due to the level of humanity associated with them, they are deemed inedible. However, it is interesting to see that while pets are kept by humans and not consumed as food, cattle are also kept but consumed. But when one compares both the cattle and pets, cattle is kept outside of the home and pets inside the home. Thus, the level of closeness and interaction with the animals determined if they are edible or …show more content…
For instance, while there may be comparisons in what type of foods are consumed, there is a difference in the way in which the foods are prepared and cooked, for instance, sea food and vegetables. This may explain why there are cuisines and why some staples are linked to specific cultures. The reason why foods are different in various cultures has some historical aspect to it as far as availability and cultural connotations are concerned (Davidson, 2014: p. 548). For instance, some people began to consume food because it was abundant in their environment and proved to be healthy and beneficial, while some foods were used for ritual purposes because the ancestors believed they were necessary for inducing the spirits (Davidson, 2014: p. 548). But while this is the case, what may be considered sweet, tasty and healthy in one culture, may deemed disgusting and unhealthy in another. For instance, the French cook escargot – meal prepared out of snails, while some people may find easting snails disgusting (Class notes, 2018). Yet, the French deem it is as not only tasty, but nutritious and snails are a great source of proteins. Additionally, some foods possess religious connotations, which is cultural. For instance, Muslims do not eat pork since they consider in unclean from a religious perspective, but most people in western cultures do through sausages and bacon (Davidson, 2014: p. 548).. Some animals are
Norcross, Alastair. “Puppies, Pigs, and People: Eating Meat and Marginal Cases.” Philosophical Perspectives 18, (2004): 229-245.
Unlike Japan, there are many similarities between Canada’s food guide and India’s, even though there are distinctive variations in cultures. In the contrary, there are a few differences between the food ate mainly because of religious teachings.
In which he describes the encounter between a man and a mouse, consequently, the writer determinates that there is certain connection between them, and that the mouse has also capacity to have thoughts, feel love and compassion. The connection between them is compared “a child of God” and the “holy creature” (Steiner 846). The writer concludes that as conscious beings, both individuals have the same level of dignity, therefore, the use of animals as food is considered an “unforgiveable”
This research paper are for those who tend to eat food specifically geared toward their culture and have never veered from it. One would see this research essay as a form of reference/reasoning to their many questions regarding the upheld idea that soul food is the only predominant food choice in the typical African American home. It also signifies the reason it is held at the highest standards of those within the African American race/community. It also centers around those who wish to enjoy other foods but are culturally stuck to eating only things that are generalized to what is considered a norm within their community or race. My goal is to educate those who have been deterred form trying new foods, due to lack of support
Rhinehart seems almost obsessed with the idea of utility, and finding ways to optimize the way he lives. Alternating between two pairs of jeans and freezing his clothes to clean them, he has a very frank and scientific view on life- regarding it as a “walking chemical reaction”. It’s understandable, therefore, that he would be compelled to create a product like Soylent, cheap, fast, but bland. If Soylent does become the mainstream way of eating one day, one can’t help but wonder about how striving to maximize utility will effect the customs of mealtimes. To many cultures, meals are also a vital time to socialize with friends and family, talk about their day and gain some human interaction. But if the goal is utility, these customs may be rendered
Food passes along cultural identities and gives people insight of variations among civilizations. That attribute promotes how big of an influence it has for generations to come. Several ethnic groups possess particular “rituals” towards food within the United States. One of the interesting locations to observe the phenomenon of food in culture is here in South Texas. South Texas brings a genre of food known as Tex-Mex. It is characterized by the usage of beef, beans, and spices. This type of cuisine differs from Southwest platters from places such as New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Arizona.
Gray, J. and W Chan. "Food Intolerance." Caballero, Benjamin, Luiz Trugo and Paul Finglas. Encyclopedia of Food Science and Nutrition Vol.4. Academic Press, 2003. 2621-2630. Websites: Network,
A common saying goes, “we are what we eat;” but what exactly that makes us eat in the first place? What are the factors that influence our eating behaviors? If the food that we eat defines our personality and being as a whole, it should then be vital to identify the factors that push us to eat certain kinds of food. I think that social psychology has the answer. As broad as this field may seem, yet this science of explaining human behavior takes it reference on the influence of the environment, people, the media, and almost about anything that can contribute to how people think, feel, and act. In this paper, we will explore the factors that influence our eating
These dishes that are special to us exemplify the huge influence that our culture has on our identities as well. We should all be able to celebrate these unique delicacies without fear of judgement or remorse afterwards. Negative thoughts imposed by the health and diet industry would have us avoiding a lot of these options, and therefore, negatively impact how we view ourselves. It is interesting to note that there are both positive and negative cultural influences related to the same foods, no wonder most Americans second guess themselves when it comes to their dietary habits! Fundamentally, food is something that should be enjoyed.
"The Changing Role of Food in the Study of Consumption. " Food and Foodways, vol. 78, no. 1, pp. 113-117. 1, No. 1 -. 1, 1985, pp. 113-120. 27–42.
Food choices are affected by many influences, for instance, cultural backgrounds, philosophical reasons such as being vegetarian and many other personal preferences. All these factors should be considered when developing interventions and advices. (1)
Failure is an important part of our development as people. It teaches us lessons that we would not learn otherwise. These lessons can form a bases for future success. Throughout my life I have experienced failure on many occasions. In these instances I try to not get discourage, but instead use it to teach me a valuable lesson.
Every culture around the world has distinct beliefs that lead them to either consume certain type’s foods, or restrict them from enjoying others. An example of this would be countries on the Eastern hemisphere such as Mongolia, China and India have diverse diets, in comparison to countries in the West hemisphere such as Canada, The US, and Mexico. This is partly attributed to the fact that different regions have different cultures, beliefs and traditions. Many people usually attempt to stay in the culture they grew up in or one who shares many of their similar beliefs and traditions. One of the main reasons cultures also differ in what they consider edible is due to the economic differences people from uncommon cultures experience.
People communicate with language, have a sense of family structure, practice culinary habits, beliefs, and social values that evolved concurrent with the compounded revisions of a group’s public space and collective perception of reality. Over time, ethnic groups have interacted and negotiated public realms similar to the method each separate population underwent to develop into its present framework. We continue to co-mingle cultures, borrowing tastes that suit our own self-definition and determination. The definition of what is “right” and what is valued varies fr...
Humans place themselves at the top of the sociological tier, close to what we as individuals call our pets who have a sentimental value in our lives. Resource animal’s on the other hand have a contributory value within our lives: they provide us with meat and other important resources. In order to determine the boundaries between how we treat animals as pets and others simply as resources, utilitarians see these “resource animals” as tools. They contemplate the welfare significances of animals as well as the probable welfares for human-beings. Whereas deontologists see actions taken towards these “resources animals” as obligations regardless of whom or what they harm in the process. The objection to these theories are, whose welfare are we