In “The Homology Between Spaces,” Bourdieu meticulously analyzes the means by which culture impacts the individual through three main structures including consumption and presentation.
More specifically Bourdieu focuses on social class and gender with regards to the consumption of food. I found it intriguing that ones occupation and social class can have such great affect on the food one chooses to consume. As Bourdieu explains the relationships between occupation, social class, and food consumption, he mentions the want for the rich to choose more expensive food simply because they can afford it, but also adds that this more expensive food is often a healthier choice. He then goes on to explain that individuals who are defined as working class, who are often more concerned with their body strength opposed to body shape simply for its cheaper price. I never really thought of one’s social class as a way to define they kinds of food they consume but after reading this excerpt I have to agree with Bourdieu, although he does seem to be making a very broad generalization, he includes surveys in the excerpt to back up his findings.
However, what I found most interesting was the way Bourdieu approached gender roles with regards to food consumption. Bourdieu explains the general expectancy and justification for men to eat large hearty portions of food, often taking second helpings and eating large meals while women are described as more delicate dainty eaters. He even uses a fish dinner as an example, describing that a piece of fish would not be sufficient to feed a strong brawny male, although it would be perfectly adequate meal for a woman. As I whole heartedly disagree with Bourdieu’s statements I began to see a link between these ideas and the widespread affect of eating disorders in women over men. Perhaps the reason why so many girls are starving themselves is not due to only the media and the goal of looking like a celebrity, but because it is seen by many cultures as a social norm for women to consume less food than men. Being a teenage girl I know that many of my friends including myself often think about my weight or how much food I am consuming, and whether or not it’s “too much.” But where did this idea sprout from anyway? If cultures and individuals eliminated these preconceived notions of food consumption with regards to gender roles I feel many women could be saved from developing mental body image disorders.
Essentially, Bourdieu conveys many valid points, with regards to an individual’s culture, including social class and gender roles, and the affect it has on our consumption as well as presentation. Although at times Bourdieu seemed overly analytical and meticulous, I feel, he conveyed a lot of interesting and useful information regarding the affect of ones culture on their consumption.
