Significance Of Meals Research Articles

Adult Children Move Out: Family Meals and Reflections on Parental Self-sacrifice at the Moment of Transition

This article examines the differentiation and change in the shared eating practices of parents and their adult children, linking theories of sacrifice with empirical research. Drawing on 26 qualitative, in-depth dyadic interviews, the authors analyse the transformation of expectations sensed by the parents before and after their adult children leave home. While the article confirms the significance of meals for family relationships, it further develops the findings in transition to the empty nest phase of family life. First, it examines the understanding of different aspects and distribution of everyday sacrificing in an intergenerational family, as well as the dynamics introduced by the life course transition connected with adult children moving out. Second, it analyses how this transition carries in consequence a transformation in the food-related practices of the parents of adult children, who tend to pay less attention to the quality, variety, and regularity of their dinners once their children have moved out. Third, it explores children’s visits to their family home that can trigger or modify old self-sacrifice patterns. Finally, it demonstrates the perceived gains or losses resulting from parents’ long-term sacrifices connected with feeding their children.

Reflections on the Significance of Meals during Intensive Naikan Therapy

Reflections on the Significance of Meals during Intensive Naikan Therapy

“A Salisbury steak is not a steak, it's ground beef.” The significance, messages and symbolism of final meals on death row

The last meal on death row is a person's very last opportunity to eat. It marks the upcoming execution of that person. Therefore these meals represent meaning, symbolism and paradoxes, especially since inmates are free to choose what their last supper will consist of. By connecting investigated last meals in the 20th century from different states in the USA with several theoretical ideas, an attempt is made to shed light on the significance of this meal. Concepts like commensality, agency, power relations and the cultural importance and symbolism of the Christian last supper are viewed upon in the context of prison life. In doing so, the contradictions and paradoxes that characterize the phenomenon of this meal are analyzed. The messages that last meals can carry can be explicitly strong and often function as inspiration for artists as well as human rights activists. Many art projects are based on the concept of the last meal – often with the purpose to criticize the death penalty. Apart from the cultural significance of the last meal, the psychological impact of food in confined situations is also investigated, as well as the practical opposite of the special meal request on death row: the specific wishes for a first meal to eat once released from prison.

Food Traditions and Overweight among Pakistanis in Norway: A Qualitative Interview Study

Background: Pakistanis living in their host countries are more frequently overweight than in their home country. Overweight Pakistanis develop metabolic syndrome more easily than the native inhabitants, and type 2 diabetes are frequent. Objective: To describe food traditions of secondgeneration Pakistani mothers to attain knowledge about possible factors promoting overweight. Method: Qualitative interviews with mothers recruited by snowballing method in a Pakistani community. The individual interviews were audiotaped and transcribed. Using text condensation and content analysis, we searched for main themes contributing to the development of overweight. Results: Nine mothers were enrolled. We identified three main themes: composition of food, organization of meals and the significance of meals for mothers and grandparents. Traditional meals contained much oil and butter and the children were less enthusiastic about this. The meals were served buffet-style throughout the day with few communal meals. Frequent “get-together parties” with plenty of food and sweets united the families. Remnant food and sweets were consumed during the week. Mothers were eager to please family members and therefore did not regulate what or how much was eaten. Grandparents were not opposed when they spoiled their grandchildren with food. Conclusion: The main factor promoting overweight in Pakistani families living in Norway seemed to be the abundance of food and sweets. Meals were served without restrictions. Serving portions instead of having buffets, and limiting the assortments of sweets may be a first step to guard against overweight. The younger Pakistani generation may contribute by limiting the consumption of food with high caloric density.

To feed or to nourish? Thoughts on the moral significance of meals in hospital.

This paper explores the issue of the serving of food in hospital from both a moral and a philosophical point of view. The concepts of 'having a meal' and of 'feeling nourished by food' are examined; it is suggested that the former is a necessary condition for the latter. The implications of this for nursing care are considered and it is argued that there is a moral imperative for us to try and serve 'meals', rather than simply 'food' to patients. The importance of this is highlighted by current concerns about malnutrition in hospital.