Emerging megacities 5/2010 - The Social Construction of Food Risks of Lower Middle Class in the Emerging Mega City of Hyderabad/ India

This paper shows how risks and threats are perceived and valuated by the socio-economic group of Hyderabad’s lower class women. For this purpose, a basic introduction is given on current scientific approaches in risk theory, followed by a description of the women’s socio-economic environment, as well as an overview of food and nourishment related discourses in the print media. Ensuing on this, the women speak about risks and threats from their perspective. Throughout the report, it becomes clear that perceptions and valuations are embedded in cultural and social contexts, which is why this report serves to understand risks from the emic view of the respondents.