Eating Properly, the Family and State Benefit

Abstract

In this paper we explore the relations between `proper' eating and the family. In particular we are concerned to analyse the attitudes towards food and eating that are expressed by women who are dependent on the state for their basic needs, and the way in which these attitudes relate to food practices within their households. We demonstrate that families living on state benefit find it difficult to eat `properly'; that is, they are unable to consume `proper meals' (consisting of meat or fish, potatoes and vegetables) regularly and a Sunday dinner once a week. Attempts to maintain these standards of proper eating have consequences in terms of the food consumption of all family members. This is explored in relation to single parent and two parent unemployed families and it is shown that the presence of a male partner has an impact on the diet of all members of the family.