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

Most people wouldnt deny that food for thought is vital to everyday life, but maybe 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, sustainment Rules in the United States Individualism, Control and Hierarchy, that these rules serve as the means through which human beings construct reality (Counihan, 1992, p. 55). Counihan advocates for the importance of news reporting food rules by explaining that adorership closely how food is viewed in our culture can do three things improve understanding of other cultures food rules, allow nutrition education programs to mesh with these rules, and reveal an aspect of society that helps maintain our current stratification system, which has not been thoroughly examined yet (Counihan, 1992). Through her study of food journals kept by American college students, Counihan argues that their adherence 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 argument that our rules about food allow for the perpetuation of sexism is a compelling one that I very much agree with. I have personally seen my best friend plan 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 allow 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 even more important that we take steps to change what is happening. Thats why the recent tenseness on being healthy rather than thin and campaigns like t he Dove Beauty Campaign where women are encouraged to see the beauty in how they shortly are so monumental to changing what Americans value. Even though Counihan wrote this article eighteen years ago, it still has applications today. I do question her study methods. development a small sample 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.