An ethnography of the transfer of food learning within the family

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to describe an ethnographic research study conducted within French families in order to examine the transfer of food learning between parents and children. Design/methodology/approach An ethnographic study in the respondents' home was conducted. Semi‐directive interviews with children and parents and observation were carried out in heterogeneous families. Findings Results indicate that food meal time is a way of socializing family members in consumption skills related to food. Food learning took place in two ways: from parents to children and from children to parents. Through different socialization factors, children will discover new food products or food practices and will be able to bring them to the home. By sharing these new experiences, children teach (directly or indirectly) parents new consumption skills related to the food domain. The food environment (e.g: familial atmosphere, interactions around the meal), more than the act of eating itself allows for a better understanding of food transmission within the family. Research limitations/implications These findings would be of benefit to public policy as well as to investors and food manufacturers by integrating the reverse socialization aspect. Limits and research perspectives are discussed after the presentation of the results. Originality/value The paper investigates interactions between parents and children within their natural setting: their home.