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This article contributes to the sociology of relationships by exploring the moral imperatives that shaped perceptions and negotiations of family life during lockdowns in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic. We identified dominant discourses from an online qualitative story completion task and situate these in relation to emerging literature on the impact of pandemic-related restrictions on domestic relationships, gender relations, and labour division. We argue that discourses of family connection, clean and tidy homes, and the commodity of time operated as moral imperatives. These imperatives simultaneously offered opportunities for enrichment and agency, as well as operating as unobtainable benchmarks that constrained people's sense of wellbeing. In this analysis we explore how COVID-19 lockdown stories offer new ways of understanding the interplay between displaying and doing 'family life' where gender and labour relations are performed, reinforced and challenged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals who experience social isolation or loneliness report poorer psychological wellbeing and increased mortality than those who are socially connected. Older culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) immigrants are a subgroup at greater risk of experiencing social isolation and loneliness. Many ethnic-focussed organizations in South Australia (SA) facilitate regular shared lunches, or "lunch clubs," to support older CALD immigrants. This study sought to understand the experiences of attending these lunch clubs, and the extent to which they influence perceived health and wellbeing of attendees. Four focus groups (n = 19) were held with individuals who regularly attended one of four cultural lunch clubs (Greek, Ukrainian, Chinese, Italian) in SA. Focus groups were conducted in English and participant's native language, with the assistance of accredited interpreters. Focus group transcripts were analyzed following a descriptive qualitative approach. Three themes were identified: A rare opportunity for social interaction, maintaining ties to culture in a foreign country, and fostering health and wellbeing. This study offers insight into lunch clubs as a potential intervention to reduce experiences of social isolation and loneliness in vulnerable populations. Future research is needed to measure the impact on health and wellbeing, and to model the most effective modes of delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food insecurity is a significant problem in many countries, including Australia. Consequently, food hubs, through which food is distributed using a supermarket style layout, have become an important new source of charity food provision. However, little is known about users' experiences. We draw on ethnographic research to understand the everyday experiences of people using South Australian food hubs. We suggest that attempts to produce a more dignified experience by creating a normalizing experience of shopping is not being achieved, because of the shame and stigma surrounding poverty, confusing operational processes, poor food quality, staff attitudes, and the disciplinary capacity of food hubs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Not all adolescents have positive sport experiences. Research has repeatedly identified ties between unfavorable eating patterns and food beliefs (i.e., a dietary identity) that hinder an athletes' health and performance. Gender norms and pressures over idealized bodies (e.g., boys are muscular whereas girls are thin) play a critical role in the manifestation of unfavorable eating habits. However, most research has focused on the experiences of athlete girls in elite sport spaces (e.g., high performance), leaving gaps in our understanding of how diverse youth in high school spaces are impacted. To address this gap, we aimed to explore the intersections between adolescents' sport, dietary and gender identities in high school. We conducted 33 interviews with high school athletes ( n  = 9 girls and n  = 9 boys) and non-athletes ( n  = 4 non-binary, n  = 6 boys and n  = 5 girls) using methods informed by an interpretative phenomenological approach. We generated three themes capturing adolescents' experiences: (1) De-gendering protein and muscles; (2) Food displays what I value; and (3) Being [too] masculine is bad. Athletes recognized ties between masculinity and sport, but spoke about traditionally masculine eating habits (e.g., valuing protein) and body ideals (e.g., being muscular) as part of their athletic identity, not gender. Regardless of sport involvement, adolescents altered their outward expression of their dietary habits to demonstrate pieces of their identities, like being an athlete (e.g., eating protein) or feminine (e.g., smaller bites). Adolescents also spoke about using food to pursue idealized bodies that show deviation from traditional gender norms. Finally, adolescents held conflicting views about masculinity as being both toxic and useful for competition. By understanding identity intersections, coaches, trainers, parents, and sport decisions-makers can make more informed decisions about sport policy, programs, and practice that involve dietary advice to support this population., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Deslippe, Middleton, Wu, Bergeron and Cohen.)

A school food service, which is the way children access food during the school day, is one of the many aspects in creating a health-promoting school environment. School-provided meal services differ greatly, depending on the country, region and school contexts, however, there is limited understanding of the diverse meal delivery within these settings. Therefore, the aim of this study was to understand different school-provided meal systems across different countries and contexts. This study used a qualitative, naturalistic observation, using an interpretative epistemology and a multiple-case design to explore food service across seven schools, mapped against a school meal food service framework. This included three schools with an established school-provided meal system (England, France and Sweden) and four schools with emerging school-provided meal systems (Australia). Mapping captured findings across the domains of Menu offering, Food service system, Administration, Eating environment, Mealtime experience and Post-meal. Results demonstrate the need for tailored school food programmes, designed appropriate to the country, region and school context, including considering cultural underpinnings and available resources. Furthermore, a positive eating environment and elements of student choice and responsibility were all noted as principles important in a school food service. This knowledge can be used to inform planning of future systems, particularly for regions transitioning into a school-provided meal model, and those looking to implement improvements to existing systems., (© The Author(s) 2025. Published by Oxford University Press.)