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Eating Together in the Twenty-first Century

Social Challenges, Community Values, Individual Wellbeing

Hugues Seraphin editor Tamas Lestar editor Manuela Manuela Pilato editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd

Published:18th Dec '23

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Eating Together in the Twenty-first Century cover

This book provides in-depth perspectives on communal food and dining practices. In doing so, it challenges less sustainable lifestyles that are encouraged by a social system based on unlimited economic growth.

In considering the diverse societal settings in which individuals and communities eat, the book offers opportunities to reflect on the concept of belongingness, or the lack of it, when eating. It examines what, how, and why we eat together and considers what the future of our food and eating may look like. A wide range of themes are explored, with examples from Finland, Algeria, Europe, and Asia drawing on topics such as and cases for interdisciplinary research, such as environmental impact, social inclusion, happiness, health, and well-being, to name a few of the areas where the importance of eating together is stressed across disciplines. The book explores the lived experience of diners and the contexts in which commensality takes place in the family circle and in communities. It emphasises how the practice of eating together plays a crucial role in satisfying deep-seated social needs.

The book bridges the gap between science, governance, professional practice, and everyday dieters to provide hands-on benefits and insights. It will be of interest to researchers and policymakers in the areas of food studies, food policy, cultural studies, gastronomy tourism, psychology, global health, religion, and spirituality.

"Eating together, both with family and friends and with strangers, is surely one of the oldest customs we have -- a gateway to bonding family and community. Now universally less common as an everyday event, it remains nonetheless a focal point for casual social engagement. This book has much to tell us about the decline of family dinners in favour of fast food in front of the TV, as well as much to remind us about what we are missing."

-Professor Robin Dunbar – Experimental psychology, University of Oxford

“This volume does important work for the interdisciplinary field of food studies because it provides broader theoretical and empirical perspectives on conviviality, commensality, and the art of eating. The editors have gathered a set of thought-provoking case studies and theoretical reflections on the relationship between marketplace ideologies, social norms, and community and family life.”

-Professor Benedetta Cappellini – Durham University Business School

ISBN: 9781032447698

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 500g

198 pages