LE3 .A278 2020

2020

Frank, Lesley

Acadia University

Master of Arts

Masters

Sociology

Sociology

This thesis explores student food practices at a rural, largely residential University campus in Eastern Canada answering the research question: what are the social relations of student food practices? Using the meso- level social construct of social practice, as well as life course theory and the concept of place, qualitative research was conducted in 2015 using 12 semi-structured interviews, one focus group, and secondary analysis of qualitative comments from a campus-wide survey on student food insecurity. Results of the thematic qualitative analysis show that student food practices are in transition while at university, shaped by changing macro and micro social relations particular to place, demonstrating an example of what Bourdieu terms a ‘habitus in flux.’ The results also show that for many students, transitions to adulthood and the reformulation of habitus, are limited by access to economic capital realized in high rates of food insecurity while at university.

The author retains copyright in this thesis. Any substantial copying or any other actions that exceed fair dealing or other exceptions in the Copyright Act require the permission of the author.

https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3467