ANTHRO 133F Chapter 3: Japanese Mothers and Obentos
Document Summary
Arguing that the obento is invested in a gendered state ideology. Mother and child are watched, judged and constructed based on this obento. Althusser"s concept of the ideological state apparatus (1971), food coding as a cultural and aesthetic apparatus, and the authority of the state over schools. Conceptualization of power as a force which operates in subtle, disguised, and socially accepted ways. Repressive state apparatus: state wields and enforced by threat of force. Ideological state apparatus: serves purpose for itself but also exerts power by causing people to see the world in a certain way (school, media) > more power in capitalist societies. Ideology becomes who we are through everyday motions. Presentational style is from codes: smallness, 2. Hinting at the nature from outside (seasonal reminders) Food is natural, but is so perfect it"s artificial. Potential for cultural and ideological manipulation comes from naturalization, second-language that emphasizes an ulterior motive along w/ eating that"s cultural.
