SOC 808 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Red Meat, Peer Pressure
25 Jun 2018
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I believe we should try to create a society where gender identity is not connected to
food choices. Food is food and it’s as simple as singing the ABC song. The ability to
consume a certain type of food should not be gender-framed. We should be able to eat
whatever we desire without being judged or criticized for it. It’s interesting how we’re
constantly shadowed with advertisements telling us that eating like a bird and dining on
salad is feminine, while eating large portions and plenty of red meat is manly (Brissette,
2017). These oversimplified representations of female and male eating habits may
seem outdated, but research shows they continue to exist for many of us. These false
assumptions can pose serious threats to our health, especially in men. Studies have
shown that this association among meat, unhealthy foods, and “masculinity” can be
detrimental to men's health (Mroz et al., 2011) and make it more challenging to adopt
healthy food practices. So why do we continue to believe in these label and
misconceptions concerning gender based on food choices? Well, because culture also
affects gender roles and therefore food choices. For example, men are mostly
associated with hard labour like mining, farming, building roads, etc. Thus, requiring
meals with bigger portions, less healthy food and fewer concerns about weight. In
contrast, women are mostly associated with light labour like household chores. Thus,
consuming mainly fruits and vegetables and smaller portions to look beautiful and stay
in sharp.
The importance of learning about the effect of gender on eating habits and health can
make it easier to make healthy food choices. As a result, increasing our awareness of
gender-framed foods and eating behaviours gives us the power to change them. It is
suggested that being more mindful when making food choices can help focus on the
food rather than on external factors. First, ask yourself why you're choosing a certain
food. Is it peer pressure? Is it because it was advertised as a more masculine or
feminine food? This awareness can help you make healthier food choices (Brissette,
2017).
Reference
Brissette, Christy. "How Society Pressures Us to Make Gendered Food Choices."
Omaha.com. N.p., 30 Jan. 2017. Web. 22 May 2017.
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Document Summary
I believe we should try to create a society where gender identity is not connected to food choices. Food is food and it"s as simple as singing the abc song. The ability to consume a certain type of food should not be gender-framed. We should be able to eat whatever we desire without being judged or criticized for it. It"s interesting how we"re constantly shadowed with advertisements telling us that eating like a bird and dining on salad is feminine, while eating large portions and plenty of red meat is manly (brissette, These oversimplified representations of female and male eating habits may seem outdated, but research shows they continue to exist for many of us. These false assumptions can pose serious threats to our health, especially in men. Studies have shown that this association among meat, unhealthy foods, and masculinity can be detrimental to men"s health (mroz et al. , 2011) and make it more challenging to adopt healthy food practices.
