How Food is Viewed in the American Culture Essay examples -- nutrition

Most flock wouldnt deny that viands is vital to e trulyday life, but perchance it has more importance than just simply nourishing our bodies. According to Carole M. Counihan, a doctor of anthropology, food is so important that society has constructed rules regarding its consumption. Counihan emphasizes in her 1992 Anthropology quarterly article, Food Rules in the United States Individualism, Control and Hierarchy, that these rules serve as the meat through which human beings construct reality (Counihan, 1992, p. 55). Counihan advocates for the importance of studying food rules by explaining that knowledge somewhat how food is viewed in our culture piece of ass do three turngs improve understanding of other cultures food rules, free nutrition education programs to mesh with these rules, and reveal an sentiment of society that helps maintain our period stratification system, which has not been thoroughly examined so far (Counihan, 1992). Through her study of food journals k ept by the Statesn college students, Counihan argues that their inclination to food rules suggests that students strongly believe in self-control and individualism. Consequently, these beliefs reinforce our current social hierarchies, specifically classism, racism, and sexism. Counihans argumentation that our rules about food allow for the perpetuation of sexism is a compelling one that I very ofttimes agree with. I have personally calln my best friend final cause her entire diet and exercise regimen based on what her boyfriend thinks. Although this article was written in 1992, I believe the message it conveys give still be applicable in years to come. Counihans argument is multifaceted she explores a school of thought that college students follow certain rules about food that have been int... ... is important. But now that we have done so, it is nonetheless more important that we take steps to change what is happening. Thats wherefore the recent focus on being healthy rat her than thin and campaigns like the Dove Beauty Campaign where women are encouraged to see the beauty in how they currently are so monumental to ever-changing what Americans value. Even though Counihan wrote this article eighteen years ago, it still has applications today. I do question her study methods. Using a small judge of food journals from students being taught to think anthropologically could skew results. I would be very interested to see a larger study done today, especially with some progress being made in the adaptation of Americas values.Works CitedCounihan, C. M. (1992). Food Rules in the United States Individualism, Control, and Hierarchy. Anthropology Quarterly, 65(2), 55-66.