The article “Mothers on Display: Lunchboxes, Social Class and Moral Accountability” is written by Vicki Harman et al. The authors seek to address parents’ moral accountability through everyday activities such as packing lunch for school-going children and whether the decisions are influenced by social ranking or the nutritional value of the food. This essay reviews the author’s use of relatable artifacts in investigating good parenting practices, methodology, and findings regarding sociological factors’ influence on food choices.
Using a qualitative research methodology is appropriate for the topic of inquiry due to the social nature of the subject under investigation. The qualitative investigation emphasizes narrative inquiry, perspectives, and attitudes, while other approaches such as quantitative methodology focus on specific themes and present numerical data limiting narrative perspectives (Tobi & Kampen, 2018). In this investigation, qualitative research has helped the researcher draw significant quotations describing particular feelings and attitudes of the group, adding to the existing sociological knowledge about factors that influence good mothering in middle-class society. Cairns & Johnston (2018) also explore mothers’ perspectives regarding ethical eating using qualitative interviews which gives in-depth understanding of how mothers perceive meat products. Sociological issues describe human behavior in different contexts, and require narrative than numerical data to show the attitudes and beliefs of different communities.
The research design clearly describes the participants and sampling methods used during recruitment. However, the number of research participants does not meet the standard of qualitative research. According to Basias & Pollalis (2018), the minimum number of particulates for qualitative research is 18, whereas the study comprised had 11 participants. The limitation discredits this research as a qualitative study demanding the authors to re-strategize and conduct a relevant investigation. Consequently, the participants’ homogeneity is a significant limitation to this study. A broader geographical area and diverse participants would bring more sociological relevance, which the authors should address to fill the limitation gaps.
Photo-elicitation interviews increases rapport and engagement with participants, giving more insight into the topic. Taking photographs is the least restrictive method of data collection since the researcher has the freedom to document everything. Although pictures speak more than words, this study involved participants taking photos instead of the researchers, hindering effective data collection. Some participants could focus more on the visible demands of the study than the facts (Brailas, 2020). For instance, in one of the pictures, the background depicted nutrition magazines for high society, assuming that the parent follows strict diets according to socioeconomic status. Nevertheless, the research method is efficient, particularly in sociological research, involving much data. Discussion forums enable interactions and discussions, which is appropriate in this research.
It is commendable that the authors use the simplest and most common artifact, such as packaged lunch boxes, to demonstrate good mothering. Lunch box packaging is an everyday practice in many communities which is relatable and easily understood by the intended audience (Jacobs, 2022). Osera et al. (2017) echo the same approach in evaluating good mothering practices indicating the suitability and relevance of the technique. Thus, the authors’ use of lunchbox packages effectively shows responsible parenting.
The authors’ consideration for the mother’s views and opinions appreciates and considers their functional role as family caregivers. From the literature review, it is a common belief that individuals from the highest socioeconomic statuses are more health-conscious and follow healthy guidelines to the latter (Warde and Martens, 2000). Nevertheless, Harman et al. (2015) suggest that as much as society shapes many aspects of life, mothers know and pack the best foods for their children despite policies and societal influences. Most of the mother’s concerns involve the child’s satisfaction and food preferences.
Additionally, contrary to the belief that mothers keep up with upcoming trends due to class and competition, the authors argue that the mothers hold onto class because of uncertainty and societal demands. Smyth and Craig (2017) agree with the authors’ findings that all mothers want to be seen as good parents and achieve it by practicing societal values and activities that portray good parenting regardless of willingness. The discovery is unexpected and sheds light on many areas of societal beliefs based on public display.
The researchers’ investigations and findings significantly expound the understanding of sociology in the academic field. The study shows how social groups interact and influence each other’s behaviors (Plummer, 2021). For instance, middle-class mothers package children’s food according to other mothers’ packages, such as food quality and the nature of lunch box containers. When a child talks about what others brought, the mother tends to pack the same to avoid alienation. Further, the research gives more understanding regarding social changes and societal demands. Due to appearances, the mothers keep up with trends in food consumption and packaging to align with the group’s consumer behavior and identity regardless of the consequences.
Although the researchers have presented their study with significant arguments, they only consider healthy packaging diets to display good mothering regardless of the child’s health. Children could carry healthy foods for public display while consuming other diets. Shorten (2018) and Davis et al. (2018) state that the family table brings people together through practiced traditions and food culture. Thus, the researcher could develop the study further by investigating the sociological factors such as children’s dietary behaviors at home since good parenting is a general practice.
Overall, the concept of this article is particular and straightforward to the topic under investigation. The author’s research methodology is appropriate to the topic under investigation. However, the approach has few limitations regarding population size and homogenous characteristics of the participants, which could promote biased information. Some of the research findings align with the theoretical views, but the author gives different explanations that shed light on different societal perspectives regarding good mothering. For instance, while the public assumes that middle-class women make poor decisions regarding children’s diet, this research suggests that the women practice good motherhood through adequate preparation and packaging of nutritious foods for their children. The implications of this research include changes in perspectives regarding mothering practices. Overall, mothers feel pressured, leading to actions that do not display their true feelings towards parenting practices
References
Brailas, A. (2020). Using drawings in qualitative interviews: An introduction to the practice. The Qualitative Report, 25(12), 4447-4460. Web.
Cairns, K., & Johnston, J. (2018). On (not) knowing where your food comes from: Meat, mothering and ethical eating. Agriculture and Human Values, 35(3), 569–580. Web.
Davis T., Marshall D., & Petersen A. (2018). Families and food: Marketing, consuming and managing. Emerald Publishing Limited, Bradford, West Yorkshire.
Harman, V., & Cappellini, B. (2015). Mothers on display: Lunchboxes, social class and moral accountability. Sociology, 49(4), 764–781. Web.
Jacobs, A. (2022). Devouring bodies: An exploration of love through food representation in the lunchbox. India; dept of sociology & Teresian International St. Teresa’s College
Osera, T., Tsutie, S., Kobayashi, M., & Kurihara, N. (2017). Evaluation of children’s lunch box contents by photograph and their relationship with mothers’ concern. Journal of Food Research, 6(1), 78. Web.
Plummer, K. (2021). Sociology: The basics. Routledge.
Shorten, C. (2018). The secret ingredient: The power of the family table. Melbourne University Publishing.
Smyth, C., & Craig, L. (2017). Conforming to intensive parenting ideals: Willingness, reluctance and social context. Families, Relationships and Societies, 6(1), 107-124.
Tobi, H., & Kampen, J. K. (2018). Research design: The methodology for interdisciplinary research framework. Quality and Quantity, 52(3), 1209-1225. Web.
Warde A and Martens L (2000) Eating Out: Social Differentiation, Consumption and Pleasure. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.