What Is Sociology of Food?
The sociology of food is a soft science related to anthropology and agriculture that studies the relationship of human societies and their food consumption habits. What types and amounts of food people eat and how it is prepared as well as their attitudes toward it can be defining characteristics of a given culture. Relationships between people and the producers of their food are often indicators of their respective roles in society.
One significant question in the field of sociology of food in the 21st century is the coexistence of malnutrition and obesity in the modern world. These two extremes represent significant power differentials that exist both within individual cultures and worldwide. People's attitudes toward these differences also reflect their cultural values. For instance, in some societies in the global South, obesity is seen as a mark of high status, as an obese person is likely rich enough to afford good food and perform manual labor. In many Western societies, however, obesity is seen as shameful.
Sociology of food scholars emphasize that the foods people enjoy or are willing to eat are also largely a matter of cultural values. Hindus, for example, consider cows sacred and therefore do not eat beef. Although there is no explicit religious prohibition against it, most Westerners will not eat dog meat. This unspoken taboo indicates an implicit understanding about animals in general: Some animals are food, while others are pets or even members of the family.
The settings in which food is eaten also contribute to its meaning in society. A popular Kenyan proverb says, "Eating is brotherhood," indicating the importance in that culture of hospitality and common meals in forming and solidifying relationships. Likewise, the family dinner of American society is a symbol of familial unity.
Who participates in communal meals is also an indication of power relationships, which is another area of interest in the sociology of food. Families who have chefs or other household help, for instance, do not usually invite their help to eat with them. On the other hand, other workers, such as nannies or au pairs, may occupy a middle ground between family and non-family and be invited to share in meals.
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![Families use cooking and eating together as a way to solidify relationships in American society.]()
By: Kablonk MicroFamilies use cooking and eating together as a way to solidify relationships in American society. -
![A sociologist studying food may be interested in comparing the portion sizes of meals across various cultures.]()
By: T.TulikA sociologist studying food may be interested in comparing the portion sizes of meals across various cultures. -
![Some sociologists study the ways in which obesity and malnutrition coexist in contemporary societies.]()
By: KokhanchikovSome sociologists study the ways in which obesity and malnutrition coexist in contemporary societies. -
![Various cultures have differing values regarding what meats -- such as those from pigs, cows and dogs -- should be eaten.]()
By: Monkey BusinessVarious cultures have differing values regarding what meats -- such as those from pigs, cows and dogs -- should be eaten. -
![Au pairs or other assistants may be in charge of meal preparation.]()
By: yanlevAu pairs or other assistants may be in charge of meal preparation.
Discussion Comments
@discographer-- That's a good question. I'm not sure that that's the goal of food sociology but food and eating habits definitely indicate how a society interacts and what it values.
More than likely, people who eat together or from the same plate value relationships and bonding. People who eat with their hands may value and enjoy food more because touching food provides an additional way to interact with food through another sensory organ. People who avoid foods forbidden in their religious scriptures may be more religious or spiritual.
So does sociology try to infer social meanings based on people's eating habits? Is this an accurate way to study the sociology of food though?
For example, some cultures, several people eat from the same plate. What social characteristics can we infer from that? Maybe they just don't want to wash a lot of dishes later!
I realized the connection between society and food when my family and I went to France for a vacation when I was a child.
In our family, we all meet for dinner but we tend to eat quickly and everyone is back to doing their own thing after a half hour or an hour. When we were in France, we stayed with a French family, long time friends and acquaintances of my dad. Their dinners lasted for hours! We would sit down at around six or seven in the evening, until about eleven at night.
Their dinners were not just about eating but rather about interaction. They ate slowly and conversed a lot, telling stories and experiences. A lot of wine was also present and I think it was a six or seven course meal in total. Food is definitely a cultural thing and how food is consumed does say a lot about societies.
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