The Scarcity Fallacy

   
      This review attacks the mainstream perspective that world hunger exists because of food scarcity. Most of the public believes that there is a limited supply of food for the exponentially growing population. However, in reality, food production exceeds that of the population growth. Sociologists believe the real roots of world hunger are masked by these assumptions of food scarcity. Instead, they blame social inequalities, distribution systems, and economic and political actors that contribute to poverty.  As solution to these problems, the authors recommend a combination of changing different parts of the corrupt system. To combat inequality, a more democratic government should be put in place to promote human rights. This includes fixing the politics of food aid and the global political economy. They argue that recognizing food as a fundamental human right would help target women and children who lack access to nutritional food. Another focus should be place on distributing food aid to those who need rather than for political favor. The authors also suggest direct cash assistance to help the local economy be more self independent. They also want to promote sustainable agriculture for local farmers to create an accessible market. These solutions are not simple to implement, but if implemented correctly, it can combat not only hunger but the larger issue of poverty.

       The documentary, We Feed the World, enforced the thesis of this article. The unsold bread that was dumped in a warehouse proves that there is not a scarcity of food, but rather a problem with how food is distributed. While some places in the world have an excess of food, not enough of it is going to the people who actually need it.  I agree with the sociologists’ views that we should target poverty as the main problem and thus work towards what we can do as a society to change this. However, the long term solutions they offer are extremely hard to implement and may have adverse effects. For example, many governments around the world would reject a more democratic and free market approach. These governments have already engraved their ideals on their society, so it cannot be easily change. I agree that food aid should be less corrupt, but cash assistance could leads to an even more corrupt system. Although it is hard to say if many of these solutions are a realistic approach, it is giving exposure to the real problems society should be concern about.

1. What are the first steps of implementing these long term solutions?

2. Will world hunger ever be solved?

Who Eat's Emergency Food?

Sociologist Janet Poppendieck tackles the question of “Who Eats Emergency Food?” in her book Sweet Charity? Statistical data from Second Harvest underlines poverty as the main factor contributing to the rise in emergency food assistance. With evidence from numerous studies and firsthand accounts, Poppendieck summarizes the problems that bring people to use emergency food programs are employment reasons, high shelter costs, and inadequate public assistance and food stamps. Emergency food sources include food pantries and soup kitchens and most of the clients that these places see are unemployed. These programs were initially made for temporary assistance for those who were recently unemployed and needed some help before they got back on their feet. Although many of the clients fall into this category, there are also many part time or migrant workers who cannot afford to allocate the recommended 30% of their income to nutritious food. Poppendieck notes that calculations poverty in poverty assume a third for food, a third for shelter, and the last third for  other necessities. A large portion of one’s income now goes towards rent and utilities and the poverty line does not adjust for this. Those who are not consider poor do not meet the requirement for aid and thus do not eat enough nutritious food because food is not high in priority. Even those who do get food stamps often cannot make it last through the month and need help from food pantries or soup kitchens for the rest of their meals. These programs are there for hungry people, but to define and measure one’s hunger is putting limitations on those who need help.

                This book addressing the rise in emergency food usage and its link to poverty was published over a decade ago, and is still seen today as the country is still in a recession with more people unemployed than ever. These problems continue today not because the government or society is not addressing it, but because it takes a larger reform for progressive change. The recession is still a large problem that cannot be solved in a matter of weeks, and until then many people will still be unemployed or barely making enough to support themselves and their family. Also, the rising prices for housing and utilities will continue to increase if inflation increases and resources such as gas and fresh water become limited.  Finally, the governmental assistance programs can only do so much because there are still many people who do not qualify for aid under their standards of neediness. Although the NY Times article says that the food stamps program is growing to make as many people who need help get it, it is still questionable as to whether it can succeed. The funding is limited and like Poppendieck pointed out, most families on food stamps still need outside sources to fill in the gaps. To solve the hunger problem, we must first solve the poverty problem, but with so many sources contributing to poverty, it is difficult to pinpoint a solution.

1. Is is worth the government and other assistance programs to provide more leeway in eligibility requirements if more needy people benefit than those few who take advantage?

2. Where does the solution begin?

Never Too Rich... Or Too Thin

Karen Way explains the changes in Western society defining beauty in women over the past few decades. The social norm of what media and popular culture portray as beautiful is expressed through thinness. The thinner the model in the cosmetic commercials or actresses on television shows, the more problematic it has been for teens and young adults who want to emanate this quality. Women who were at normal and healthy weights started to question their body image and thus sought refuge in obsessive dieting and exercising. This practice was only fueled by businesses interested in making profits off of insecure women. According to Way, this trend started the “epidemic” of eating disorders. Way argues that anorexia nervosa are blown out of proportion, but she does not deny the fact that the eating disorder is on the rise. She points out that eating disorders not only affect the rich and famous, but normal people as well. Way explains that anorexia is a physical and character stigma. She cited references to psychiatrist who described every anorexic has self-esteem problems as well as a distorted view of reality. Way believes this social problem is still left untouched because society views it as a norm. Although there is public apathy there, there is not enough change.

                One of the most interesting facts I learn through this article was that although thinness has become the new ideal, Western society has seen an upwards trend of obesity and overweight people. This shows that Americans now lie on two extremes with more healthy people shifting to an unhealthy level. This is also caused by the fact that a normal or healthy body weight or image has changed to include a smaller range of what is acceptable in our culture. This to me means that although society is trying to promote healthiness, it is actually causing a counter effect. We need to go back to the basics of the decades before. Although we cannot undo what has already happened, we can learn from our mistakes and prevent this downwards spiral of society's health.

1. What is the most effective solution to reach out to the public?

2. Are eating disorders over stigmatized as character dysfunctions?