The cycle of food socialization: leisure as resistance

Abstract

Historically, the relationship between humans and food is complex. The necessity of food for life has resulted in food being important in structuring life and identity. The increasing stronghold of the agrofood complex (e.g. Big Food) in the production and engineering of food is taking a toll on socio-ecological systems. Using Harro’s (2018a. “The Cycle of Socialisation.” In Readings for Diversity and Social Justice, edited by A. Adams, W. J. Blumenfeld, C. Casteneda, H. W. Hackman, M. L. Peters, and X. Zuniga, 45–52. New York: Routledge) Cycle of Socialization as a framework, we examine how humans have been socialized to value and depend on engineered foods to the detriment of human and environmental health and propose the Cycle of Food Socialization. Dominant socializing forces of contemporary mass food production, eating habits, and perceptions of food keep us trapped in a cycle of unhealthy behaviours that make food more of an enemy than friend. We further propose that growing interest in locally farmed and naturally produced food as a leisure pursuit is uniquely positioned as a pathway to liberation from this cycle.