Abstract
This article by Eva Wiseman talks about how different foods are associated with different gender. People think "some foods are masculine, while others are strictly for girls." When the author observed people getting food, "out of 20 diners choosing the steak and mushroom pie over the vegetable quiche, 18 are men. Out of 10 people lingering by the dessert bar, seven are women." Food brands make food specifically for each gender. Chocolate companies like Nestle began separating their products into two categories: for men and for women. The chocolate bars for men tend to be bigger, chunkier, and more filling, while ones for women are smaller, skinnier, and lighter. This marketing strategy is based on the idea that men and women like different kinds of foods. Although there are many theories as to what causes this difference, the author believes that the society and culture are the causes. The society has set the idea of "manly" food and "feminine" food. People just follow these rules.
Discussion Questions
1. What are masculine and feminine food that you can think of?
2. Are some foods made specifically for each gender?
3. Do you think steak/meats are only for men?
4. Do you think chocolates/sweets are just for women?
5. Does media impact your choices on what you eat?
Keely's Response
This article in my opinion is ridiculous. I agree that the media has a impact on what people purchase, like how guys are buying chocolates for their Valentine's this week. But I do not think that food is designated for one gender. Everyone needs a certain amount of nutrition in their diets therefore everyone need some "manly food" or some "feminine food." Sure women are stereotyped to eat more chocolates but that usually only happens because women PMS and yearn for chocolates. I think foods cannot be categorized by genders. The author's conclusion about the media is ridiculous to me because I have never seen a girl eat something a guy would never try and vice versa.
Daye's Response
I found this article pretty funny, because the gender stereotype associated with food described in the article are actually somewhat true. There are no masculine or feminine foods, but certain foods actually are consumed more by one gender than the other. Women do crave chocolate a lot and guys do go for more meaty and savory food than sweets. I actually thought most guys don't like sweets until recently. The author concluded the article saying that each gender's food preference is constructed by the society. I think it's more psychological and biological than that. How can the media make us to crave and like certain types of food? I don't think an advertisement of a woman eating chocolate would make me want to eat it just because it is a feminine thing to do.
Abstract
This article by Eva Wiseman talks about how different foods are associated with different gender. People think "some foods are masculine, while others are strictly for girls." When the author observed people getting food, "out of 20 diners choosing the steak and mushroom pie over the vegetable quiche, 18 are men. Out of 10 people lingering by the dessert bar, seven are women." Food brands make food specifically for each gender. Chocolate companies like Nestle began separating their products into two categories: for men and for women. The chocolate bars for men tend to be bigger, chunkier, and more filling, while ones for women are smaller, skinnier, and lighter. This marketing strategy is based on the idea that men and women like different kinds of foods. Although there are many theories as to what causes this difference, the author believes that the society and culture are the causes. The society has set the idea of "manly" food and "feminine" food. People just follow these rules.
Discussion Questions
1. What are masculine and feminine food that you can think of?
2. Are some foods made specifically for each gender?
3. Do you think steak/meats are only for men?
4. Do you think chocolates/sweets are just for women?
5. Does media impact your choices on what you eat?
Keely's Response
This article in my opinion is ridiculous. I agree that the media has a impact on what people purchase, like how guys are buying chocolates for their Valentine's this week. But I do not think that food is designated for one gender. Everyone needs a certain amount of nutrition in their diets therefore everyone need some "manly food" or some "feminine food." Sure women are stereotyped to eat more chocolates but that usually only happens because women PMS and yearn for chocolates. I think foods cannot be categorized by genders. The author's conclusion about the media is ridiculous to me because I have never seen a girl eat something a guy would never try and vice versa.
Daye's Response
I found this article pretty funny, because the gender stereotype associated with food described in the article are actually somewhat true. There are no masculine or feminine foods, but certain foods actually are consumed more by one gender than the other. Women do crave chocolate a lot and guys do go for more meaty and savory food than sweets. I actually thought most guys don't like sweets until recently. The author concluded the article saying that each gender's food preference is constructed by the society. I think it's more psychological and biological than that. How can the media make us to crave and like certain types of food? I don't think an advertisement of a woman eating chocolate would make me want to eat it just because it is a feminine thing to do.