Somali Women's Experiences of Cooking and Meals after Immigration to Sweden

Abstract

This article elucidates Somali women's experiences of cooking and meals after immigration to Sweden. Six Somali women participated in repeated focus group interviews. Content analysis of the interviews resulted in four themes: change in routines and content of the daily meals, changed experiences related to cooking and shopping for groceries, the social dimensions in food-related occupations, and change of identity and roles. According to the women, variety of factors related to their life in Sweden had led to changes in their food occupations and meals: environmental changes, societal factors and the fact that the women secured employment. Although their new focus on employment led to altered responsibility and time for the cooking, food-related occupations remained important for the creation of identity and the maintenance of the family. This study may inform the development of strategies to restrict the negative impacts of immigration on Somali women's health. Future research will increase understandings of the relationships between food-related occupations and women's roles, identity and health.

Keywords:

• Immigration
• Food occupations
• Identity
• Gender roles
• Focus groups

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the study participants for making this study possible. Also thanks to Professor Albert Westergren for his support during the work.