HW 4- My family's foodways

When it comes to generational changes in foodways, I think scientific advancements play a big role in how people approach food. I think one connection that can be made is to smoking. In my grandparent's generation, smoking was considered healthy for the body and mind, and people who did NOT smoke were looked at with mistrust. Today, through scientific discoveries we now know that smoking is actually DETRIMENTAL to the body and mind, and those who smoke today are given an ugly look. My grandparents, when they were young, were all about McDonalds and fast food in general. However, when fast food was found to be unhealthy and generally "unhip" my mom's generation was totally AGAINST fast food. Today, fast food is laughed at by those who are brought up by critics, but still stand tall to the mainstream population because THIS generation is all about saving money, which fast food promotes.

Which leads me to my next point: Cost is a major factor on foodways. This is something that has to do with a family's financial situation. In MY situation, we always look for the best quality product for the cheapest price. However, when my grandfather (who played the stocks quite well) was alive, a trip to grandma's meant a really good meal at grandma's! Some people (like me) have learned to adjust their foodways so they can thrive off of very little. I could definitely imagine a rich person crying when their only choice is a box of macaroni and cheese, when they are used to a multiple course meal.

Perhaps the biggest change in generational foodways though, is lazyness. When big chains weren't around some time ago, people knew how to cook. Or at least someone in a family knew how to cook. Maybe they weren't the next Iron Chef, but they could cook a full meal every night, at a decent cost. Today however, things have radically changed. With the introduction of a McDonalds on every corner, a full affordable meal is just a short walk away. Why bother with pots and pans, or wait for an oven to pre-heat? Who wants to wash dishes afterward? Nobody. Not unless they know they can put other restaurants to shame with their own skills. People are LAZY. Families today know how to make frozen chicken legs, but constant lazyness is what brings outside restaurants so much business. Money doesn't mean a thing as long as you get a good meal. It's not like you can make it yourself! This is why women want a man that can cook! Better start cooking lessons!