Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Monograph

Degree

Master of Arts

Program

Geography and Environment

Supervisor

Hopkins, Jeffrey S

Abstract

This thesis explores the influence of gender roles and social norms on sustainable food practices. Existing social science and geographic literature suggest that gender shapes environmental behaviors, often linked to patriarchal and heteronormative systems. This study examines sustainability habits in food purchasing, storage, preparation, and disposal among undergraduate social science students at The University of Western Ontario. Using online questionnaires, it seeks to identify the food practices these students perceive as environmentally conscious and whether these vary by gender. Eighteen surveys were collected between May and October 2023, and a quantitative bivariate analysis was conducted to explore demographic patterns, food consumption habits, and gendered stereotypes. Findings suggest that students aim to increase environmental stewardship but are constrained by limited income and choices. The study highlights the importance of food sustainability education and its link to gender inequality, suggesting that addressing these together can foster more equitable and effective solutions to environmental and social issues. Results affirm that gender influences dietary choices, with men perceived as less likely to adopt sustainable habits than women, and no distinct patterns for non-binary students.

Summary for Lay Audience

De-carbonizing the food chain is a crucial part of combatting the climate crisis. Examining social and cultural geographies can help us understand the role gender plays in food choices and the ways we might reduce an individual's food carbon footprint through food choices. Set gendered roles in our society play a part in the environmental choices’ individuals make especially in our food selection, shopping, preparation, eating, and disposal habits. My overarching research question is eating 'green': what does it mean to him and her and those in between? More specifically, what are the food consumption practices that Western University social science undergraduate students’ make that they perceive as conscious choices to minimize their own carbon footprints, if at all? Do these practices and choices vary by genders?

To answer the question, online surveys were created and distributed using the software, Qualtrics. The survey was available for undergraduate social science students at Western University who do their own food consumption habits from shopping to storage to disposal. 18 participants were solicitated through the help of the Social Science Student Council posting on their Facebook and Instagram pages along with recruitment emails through participating social science departments. The survey data was uploaded to the software program, SPSS Statistics, to complete basic descriptive statistics and a bivariate analysis to determine relationships between variables.

The utility of the results, and any study involving gender, is to promote gender equality and aid in the discrimination of women. Additionally, the results showcase how gender disparities are disrupting climate change mitigation through individual diet and consumption change.

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