How Food is Viewed in the American Culture Essay examples -- nutrition

Most people wouldn’t deny that food is vital to everyday life, but perhaps it has more importance than just simply nourishing our bodies. According to Carole M. Counihan, a doctor of anthropology, food is so important that society has constructed rules regarding its consumption. Counihan emphasizes in her 1992 Anthropology Quarterly article, â€Å"Food Rules in the United States: Individualism, Control and Hierarchy,† that these rules serve as the â€Å"means through which human beings construct reality† (Counihan, 1992, p. 55). Counihan advocates for the importance of studying food rules by explaining that knowledge about how food is viewed in our culture can do three things: improve understanding of other culture’s food rules, allow nutrition education programs to mesh with these rules, and reveal an aspect of society that helps maintain our current stratification system, which has not been thoroughly examined yet (Counihan, 1992). Through her study of f ood journals kept by American college students, Counihan argues that their adherence to food rules suggests that students strongly believe in self-control and individualism. Consequently, these beliefs reinforce our current social hierarchies, specifically classism, racism, and sexism. Counihan’s argument that our rules about food allow for the perpetuation of sexism is a compelling one that I very much agree with. I have personally seen my best friend plan her entire diet and exercise regimen based on what her boyfriend thinks. Although this article was written in 1992, I believe the message it conveys will still be applicable in years to come. Counihan’s argument is multifaceted: she explores a school of thought that college students follow certain rules about food that have been int... ... is important. But now that we have done so, it is even more important that we take steps to change what is happening. That’s why the recent focus on being healthy rather than thin and campaigns like the Dove Beauty Campaign where women are encouraged to see the beauty in how they currently are so monumental to changing what Americans value. Even though Counihan wrote this article eighteen years ago, it still has applications today. I do question her study methods. Using a small sample of food journals from students being taught to think anthropologically could skew results. I would be very interested to see a larger study done today, especially with some progress being made in the adaptation of America’s values. Works Cited Counihan, C. M. (1992). Food Rules in the United States: Individualism, Control, and Hierarchy. Anthropology Quarterly, 65(2), 55-66.

Is democracy the best form of governance? Essay

Democracy is debatably , by far the most challenging form of governance for both, politicians and the people. Though democracy is often described as the government elected by the people, there are cases where a country’s decision to change from an authoritarian regime to a democratic one has been forced upon by foreign interventions. However, recent political insurgency in countries where democracy has been imposed shows that for the people to truly accept and respect the ideals of democracy, it must grow naturally. Many argue that interventions can be successful given the right conditions. For instance chances of the democratic transactions being successful if the state has a stable economy is relatively higher. There have been past successes like Germany and Japan after World War II where imposition of democracy has worked. It is also seen that in many cases without intervention, the individuals who were seeking to defend their rights in their homeland would have been unsucc essful. For example the people’s movement in Libya, though it had gained much suport would have been suppressed had it not been for the NATO’s involvement. There is also the concept that promoting democracy promotes peace. If people are given their freedom to air their views and feelings of marginalization are prevented then terrorism is less likely to arise. Thus promoting democracy by imposing it, we increase the chances of a peaceful world. Many believe that democracy is the best form of governance which ensures that the rights of the citizens are not violated and gives them the freedom to express their ideas and thus it is their ‘humanitarian obligation’ to bring democracy to those who do not have it. On the contrary, it is believed that an intervention is very likely to fail as the government is being formed against the country’s will and is less likely to gain support. Democratic governments prove to be successful only when the government is chosen by the people and is more likely to command respect and maintain order. Democracies are not necessarily more peaceful than other form of governments. Just because democracies have not gone to war in the past does not mean that it is less likely to go into war in the future. Invasions, mainly by the western nations, increase the tension between the East and the West and force the formation of terrorist groups which in turn threatens world peace. The 9/11 attack is proof enough to say that imposing democracy fuels terrorist groups. In Osama Bin Laden’s â€Å"letter to the American people† he cited interventions in Somalia, India,  Palestine, Chechnya, Lebanon and Iraq as reasons for the attack. Just because we prioritize and believe on political self determination being an important value, it does not mean that all nations believe in it too. For instance some nations may prioritize on religious value and prefer to be ruled by a government which promises divine authority. And some may believe in stability of the government and might not want it to keep on changing every few years. Countries of the middle east like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan and so on can be taken as examples while considering countries which are non-democratic and peaceful. Taking recent happenings into consideration, western efforts to impose democracy has largely failed. For instance in countries like Iraq, Afghanistan and Vietnam the imposition of democracy has led to political instability but still western countries, United States in particular believes that it is their duty to bring democracy to other countries. Trying to transfer the western lifestyle to totally different locations with complex history and traditions is not an easy task. Besides, when people are bullied into following a completely different system, people are most likely to oppose it. Today’s fully functional democratic countries include Spain, Portugal, Greece, etc which were once ruled by dictators and only turned into democracies after homegrown movements and the politically instable countries include Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, etc where democracy was imposed. Thus, we can see that imposing democracy has led to nothing but disruption in the long term. Imposing democracy has caused more disruption than peace. ‘The white man’s burden’ as the movement is most popularly referred to , has caused much tension between the west and the east. Imposing democracy in countries where people prioritize values like religion and stability is not going to be successful as the people are not going to be cooperative. And the government formed that is not formed for the people is, by definition not a democracy. Democracy, even if established by imposition will still be the ‘rule of the majority’ however for the people to truly accept this for m of governance it must grow naturally.

Relationship Between Boxer And Boxer In Animal Farm By...

Animal Farm by George Orwell, written in 1945 displays numerous themes of which highly impact the audience. These concepts were delivered through the actions of the characters of whom Orwell based off of iconic parties in the Russian Revolution. These themes were also shown through the relationships of the character. As said, the novel was based on the Russian Revolution that happened during 1917, of which coincides with the immensely strong themes of exploitation, tyranny, and propaganda. These aforementioned themes are ones of which are heavily seen relationships between various characters and Boxer, of whom represents both the lower masses and the animals. First of all, one relationship of which is significant to the text lies in†¦show more content†¦Second of all, the relationship between Napoleon and Boxer is one of vast differences. Napoleon’s character is seen to be brutal and manipulative in comparison to Boxer’s innocence and naivete. The pair harmoniously coexists as Boxer’s loyalty to Napoleon becomes increasingly toxic, which leads to his own death. The difference between the two is vital to the text as it shows how even Boxer, a character looked up to by the animals, is so blinded by Napoleons manipulative ways. Napoleon, obviously needing to keep Boxer on his side, manipulates Boxer into believing that he is someone of power, as seen after the Battle of Cowshed when Boxer knocks a young lad out and gets awarded a medal for it (Animal Hero, First Class). I think that Orwell writes this in order to convey the constant idea of how Napoleon manipulates everyone in order to get what he wants.; A them e that is seen throughout the whole novel. This is significant to the text as manipulation is the most labouriously enforced theme throughout the novel. Third of all, I believe that another relationship should be mentioned as it holds a high importance to the text. The relationship between Squealer and Napoleon is one of which is as iconic to the whole text. Napoleon doesn’t manipulate Squealer into being his mouthpiece. Instead, Squealer willingly helps fool theShow MoreRelatedAnimal Farm - Character Analysis- Boxer the Horse Essay1282 Words   |  6 Pagescharacters through similar experiences and emotions and so these characters often invite our understanding and empathy. In George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm, Boxer the horse invites our empathy. We empathise with Boxer and the way in which the pig Napoleon, the leader of Animal Farm, takes advantage of his good-natured personality and manipulates him into following all orders. Boxer is unaware of the fact that he is being taken advantage of and that Napoleon has forced him into being the main labourerRead MoreGeorge Orwell s Animal Farm994 Words   |  4 Pages G eorge Orwell was known as one of the greatest English writers of all time. 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