Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
s of C i a L i n f L u e n C e s o n f o o D C h of i C e s
The social influences determining food choices depend on multiple factors, including
times of high and low availability of foods; the desire to maintain peace with neighbors;
and influences of social symbolism. Sharing foods between communities also serves
as a means of building and maintaining ties with neighbors. Finally, food choices are
influenced by the social symbolism that is associated with particular foods.
Food is a tool for facilitating social relations. Social bonds may be formed and
broken depending on the variety of food (Mela 1996, de Castro 1999). The number of
individuals present at a meal and the quantity and quality of food eaten are directly
related (de Castro 1990, 1994). Historically, humans needed to find ways to sus-
tain themselves during times of the year when food choices were scarce and to find
ways to share food to maintain social ties with neighbors. Communal meals have
the advantages of providing an abundance of food choices as well as fellowship that
would not be acquired if individuals were to eat on their own (Ulijaszek 2002).
Social and cultural norms of eating diversified further in the context of ecologi-
cal change over time with human migrations, the emergence of agriculture, and the
development of socially and economically stratified societies (Strickland and Shetty
1998, p. 346). In most societies, festivals and holidays tend to occur after the har-
vesting period and during the times of the year when food is abundant (Kittler and
Sucher 2004). Feasts are also associated with festivals and holidays as a way of shar-
ing food with each other and providing food for individuals who may not have an
adequate supply (Pelto et al. 1989).
Each culture modifies new foods in ways that make the foods acceptable to mem-
bers of its culture (see Table 4.2). The sense of belonging to a larger community is
established by partaking in these shared meals (Scapp and Seitz 1998, p. 299). The
components of modern meals comprise foods from various locales and cultures that
can be eaten anywhere in the world, from Southern California to southern France,
Japan, or Brazil. Still, certain foods remain unacceptable to a given culture or sub-
culture and will not be added to the meal.
As long as there is an abundance of food choices, humans are hospitable and
peaceful and share foods with each other (Harris and Ross 1987). However, during
times of famine and wars, when individuals and families are faced with potential
starvation, hoarding is common (Pelto et al. 1989). When food supplies are threat-
ened and individuals and families are faced with potential starvation, they often
eat alone to keep from disclosing the amount of food that they actually have for
themselves (Pelto et al.). With severe population pressures in the environment, food
becomes less abundant, and people tend to become suspicious of one another (Harris
and Ross 1987). Peace between neighboring societies is often maintained by the
exchange and sharing of food.
f o o D a s s y m b o L s a n D i n f L u e n C e o n f o o D C h of i C e s
Foods also serve as symbols or tools of communication between individuals or
groups and may be chosen for these reasons. Certain foods—processed, refined, and
packaged—are associated with a higher level of prestige or purity, whereas other
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