Introducing the idea of ‘assumed shared food narratives’ in the context of social networks: reflections from a qualitative study conducted in Nottingham, England

Abstract

This study explores the ways in which social networks might shape accounts about food practices. Drawing on insights from the work of Christakis and Fowler () whose claims about the linkages between obesity and social networks have been the subject of vigorous debate in the sociological literature, we present qualitative data from a study of women's' accounts of social networks and food practices, conducted in Nottingham, England. We tentatively suggest that whilst social networks in their broadest sense, might shape what was perceived to be normal and acceptable in relation to food practices (and provide everyday discursive resources which normalise practice), the relationship between the two is more complex than the linear relationship proposed by Christakis and Fowler. Here, we introduce the idea of assumed shared food narratives (ASFNs), which, we propose, sheds light on motive talk about food practices, and which also provide practical and discursive resources to actors seeking to protect and defend against 'untoward' behaviour, in the context of public health messages around food and eating. We suggest that understanding ASFNs and the ways in which they are embedded in social networks represents a novel way of understanding food and eating practices from a sociological perspective.

Negotiating identities of ‘responsible drinking’: Exploring accounts of alcohol consumption of working mothers in their early parenting period

“…As such, accounts are 'a crucial element in the social order ' (1968: 46). More recently, the framework of motive talk has been applied to analyse how mothers in disadvantaged conditions rationalise their non-conformity to the unrealistic demands of 'healthy eating' messages (Bissell et al, 2018). The study suggests that, in normalising 'untoward' nutrition practices, participants resisted health messages, while protecting themselves from the anxiety to be considered conscientious mothers and fit with community norms.…”

Conflicting experiences of health and habitus in a poor urban neighbourhood: A Bourdieusian ethnography

“…Jerry's views here illustrate a tendency to blame people for their poor health, in an individualist manner. Berg et al (2019) and Bissell et al (2018) both observed that people in poor neighbourhood acknowledged that their ill health was influenced by deprivation but still blamed themselves. In Jerry's case, this blame is directed towards others and there was a fair amount of bickering between groups in St Ann's whereby working‐age people derided the older adults for poor lifestyle and older adults passed unfavourable comment about parents not taking care of their children.…”

“…Strong social networks and belonging were seen as positives although tight knit relations were also identified as a problem in terms of normalising ill health (Smith & Anderson, 2018). Smith and Anderson (2018), Berg et al (2019) and Bissell et al (2018) have, however, also observed that whilst residents acknowledge the negative effects of poverty, they may also blame themselves for their ill health, reflecting internalisation of individualistic understandings of health.…”

We must do better: Ableism and fatphobia in sociology

“…With regards to fat bodies, noncritical articles also invoked the language of eugenics by suggesting “obesity” could be “spread” (Bissell et al., 2018; Chen et al., 2019; Wadsworth & Pendergast, 2014), in other words, that it was “contagious” (Umberson et al., 2010; Umberson & Montez, 2010; Van Hook & Baker, 2010). There was at times a troubling gender dynamic to these assertions, which is a pattern other scholars have noted in their research as well (Boero, 2009; Greenhalgh, 2015; Herndon, 2014).…”