Section 1: Food Choice Influenced by Social Norms
I grew up in an Italian household in the North Ward of Newark, New Jersey. That meant Italian food – lots of pasta, but also sausage, salami, ham and other cured meats. I was not a picky eater, so my food choices were influenced by the social norms of the neighborhood and especially my grandmother, who made sure I sat next to her at the dinner table. These social norms were imported from another culture – Italy – which knew little of, and cared little for, considerations such as effects of industrial farming and the health consequences of diet. I should mention that I am talking about events which took place a long, long time ago. I have recently been speaking to a friend who adheres to different social norms. She is a vegetarian, introduced to that lifestyle in college by her roommates and friends. She has been observing a vegetarian diet for quite a few years and at one point even tried a vegan lifestyle. However, without any “reinforcement” (no social norms present) from other vegans, she found this to be complicated and difficult to maintain. She has, though, endeavored to be a conscientious locavore, consuming only locally grown foods. Taking her cue, (from her norms) I have been ‘migrating’ to a more vegetarian, local-oriented diet.
Section 2: Societal Norms Connected to Food Choices
The choice by my friend to become a vegetarian, aside from being influenced by social norms, was also informed by the consequences of her previous diet. She was definitely troubled by the element of speciesism evident in a carnivorous diet. The ethics of eating non-human animals, especially when other, healthier alternatives are readily available was troubling. Also, as a vegetarian, she consumes fewer products of industrial farming and contributes to a reduction in greenhouse gases (methane) ammonia, and chemical fertilizer. As a locavore, she consumes only locally grown products, which, in general, have higher nutritional value (they are eaten closer to harvest), less likely to use preservatives, and more diversified (since she is only eating what is in season). Locally grown foods contribute to a better standard of health in general.
I consider all of these arguments informative and very convincing.
Section 3: System Diagram Linking the Social Norm, Food Choice and Societal Issue.
Hey Michael! My name is Kayla. I really liked reading your post. I am also from a large Italian family and am accustomed to lots and lots of pasta and various meats. I liked how you added that your food choices were affected by your culture and enviroment, as this is true for me as well. I found it interesting that you brought up being vegetarian as well. This is a lifestyle I’m not very familair with so it was nice to get some of your insight from a friend.
Here is the link to my own blog post if you wanted to take a look:
http://geog030.dutton.psu.edu/2016/03/04/food-choice-and-social-norms-10/
I do not fully agree with this lifestyle. Yes, locally grown foods are great, and yes, eating more grown foods and less produced foods are good, but I do not believe cutting meat out of a diet entirely is a good decision. Meats have proteins and amino acids that are essential to living. Even drinking milk and eating eggs to receive these proteins is not often good enough, because this limits the types of proteins your body can get from nutrition. These proteins are essential to living a healthy lifestyle and an active life. The proteins we get from meat are proteins the human body can not readily produce and needs to get from other sources.
Hello my name is Madison Halbom and I was intrigued by your blog post because I found it interesting that you heritage and background influence your food choices due to the social norms of the neighborhood you live in. I do not have a large influence from my heritage but I actually enjoy the fact that you are from yours. Personally I love italian food so I would enjoy the food you grew up on but I wonder the comparison of the daily american intake of meat versus say your family who is greatly influenced by the italian heritage. Just something I would find interesting, check out my blog http://sites.psu.edu/geog30/2016/03/04/food-choice-and-social-norms-9/