A Comparative Study of Conviviality and Family Mealtime Experiences in Spain and the UK

This study explores experiences of conviviality and family mealtimes in 10 Spanish families and 10 families in the UK. Although there has been sociological interest in the concepts of commensality (the act of eating together) and the family meal, there is a paucity of literature that investigates the concept of conviviality (the act of enjoying eating together) in the context of domestic dining. Mealtimes are examined in Spain because rhetoric on regional food culture implies that sociable, enjoyable meals are embedded in family life. The practices of Spanish families are compared with those in the UK where paeans to Mediterranean ways of eating are disseminated through public health models and popular discourse. An ethnographic approach, using multiple methods, is adopted in order to investigate the complexities and contradictions in narratives on mealtimes, whilst creating opportunities for all family members, including children, to voice their ideas. The theoretical framework of the study employs Bourdieu’s conceptual tools of social distinction, habitus and forms of capital. This is the first known empirical study that compares familial conviviality in two cultural settings. The original research contribution lies in a number of key areas. For the first time, conviviality is conceptualised as a symbol of cultural capital and a marker of social distinction. The study emphasizes that social divergence is less apparent in Spain and devises the term cultural habitus to explicate collective, uniform practices. It outlines the tensions involved in creating a convivial meal and identifies the features of a habitus that facilitate this process. It also highlights how cross-cultural differences in children’s mealtime socialisation influence enjoyment for all family members. The study establishes, that in both countries, challenges to conviviality are perpetuated by ideals that are not always culturally accessible or do not reflect the multifaceted nature of family life. These findings make a significant contribution to the sociology of food but are also useful in the development of public health models that promote ways of eating

The Mediterranean diet: socio-cultural relevance for contemporary health promotion

In biomedical literature, The Mediterranean Diet describes a healthy eating model, based on epidemiological findings on the predominant eating practices in Crete and Southern Italy in the 1960s. At the time, the level of life expectancy in this region was amongst the highest worldwide and rates of cardiovascular disease were amongst the lowest. Medical research has since given increasing attention to this dietary pattern and its potential health benefits. The various components of The Mediterranean Diet are fast becoming a paradigm for healthier lifestyles as well as potential model for weight loss. In 2010 UNESCO recognised The Mediterranean Diet as an intangible cultural heritage of Italy, Spain, Greece and Morocco and the diet has moved away from a uniquely biomedical model to a cultural representation. This has led to increased recognition of the importance of social and cultural context in the dietary model, particularly the idea of conviviality, the pleasure of shared meals. It has also brought to light the debate over the cultural legitimacy of The Mediterranean Diet and its ability to represent the cultural diversity of the region. This literature review consolidates interdisciplinary perspectives on the cultural context of the Mediterranean Diet. A literature search was conducted using both biomedical and social science databases to reflect the interdisciplinary nature of the article. This review explores the relevance o