A Tradition in the Crosshairs

Seanantinia Moran

Instructors Wells-Edwards and Smith

English 101D OL

20 November 2009

The Dissolve of Family Mealtime

In today’s fast passed society, people are often faced with the dilemma of when to fit family meals into their hectic schedules. Science and technology is constantly improving and the economy is struggling, thus making people feel the need to rush through their busy, daily lives, resulting in less time for family. The tradition of family mealtime is being threatened by science, technology, economic burdens, and pop culture, resulting in many personal and health risks.

Family mealtime is an important tradition. An article published on the Washington State University website, co-authored by Martha Marino, MA and Sue Butkus, PhD, suggests that there are many benefits to family mealtimes. Among these benefits are; better “communication skills,” “better school performance,” “better adjustment,” and “better nutrition.” Family mealtime creates a sense of togetherness and belonging, resulting in happy memories. Teresa McEnitire states, “Eating together helps families achieve better communication and build stronger relationships; children do better in school and are better adjusted as teens and adults.” All of these achievements are a benefit for society by allowing for better communication and career skills.

Science threatens the tradition of family mealtime by creating meal replacements for our fast passed society. Eric Scholsser states, “The basic science behind the scent of your shaving cream is the same as that governing the flavor of your TV dinner (529).” Science has found a way to pack a day’s worth of vitamins and minerals into one convenient package. Protein bars are one example of a convenient meal replacement. Protein bars can be eaten on the go, without having to sit down and allow for consumption. Many people rely on these protein bars as a substitute for breakfast or lunchtime, replacing the family table with a car, subway or other mode of transportation. A family’s morning routine of breakfast, over eggs and pancakes, is being threatened with these nutrient rich energy bars. Energy bars eliminate the need for the breakfast table altogether, resulting in less time for a family to bond and discuss important topics relevant to their daily lives.

Another factor threatening family mealtime is the technological advancements to communication. Ellen DeGeneres states, “Frankly, I think modern technology is hurting us, I really do (638).” Modern technology, such as email and text messaging, is changing the way families communicate with each other, especially at the dinner table. Meals that families have together are no longer about discussing the events that mapped out loved one’s days, but more about how long people can go without using their cell phones or email. Children no longer have to actually speak to their parents, they can text them or send them an email. Cell phones and emails allow for the breakdown of communication resulting in children who cannot carry on face to face conversations. This leads to the dissolve of family mealtime by creating a lack of communication skills. Parents try to engage their children in meaningful conversations during family mealtimes, but the child is incapable of reciprocating. If a child does not learn proper communication skills, their chances of communicating with a supervisor are less likely, resulting in fewer chances at a great career and better life.

The economic problems that families face are also an important factor threatening family mealtime. With more people struggling to make ends meet, many parents are forced to take on second and even third jobs to supplement their incomes. The economic problems also cause many people to rely on fast food chains for inexpensive meals. Some parents bring home dinner in a paper bag and toss it to their children. Fast food meals are not only cheaper, but most do not even require sitting down to eat, resulting in the grab-and-go sort of dinner instead of a sit down and talk meal. After bringing home fast food, it is back to a family’s busy life and off to bed. Children hardly see their parents, let alone sit down to meals with them. Home cooking can also be costly and time consuming, resulting in less money for utility bills and education. Economic problems have made family meals a financial burden. Without the proper funds for a well balanced meal, families also run the risk of health problems due to lack of nutrition. Without proper nutrition, families can develop more frequent illnesses and obesity. Adults lacking proper nutrition miss more work days and have a lower life expectancy. Adults whom are frequently absent from work have less chance of advancement in position and salary and more risk of facing layoffs and firings. Children with lack of nutrients also have lower grades in school and are absent more frequently, resulting in a lack of proper education. The lack of education could pose greater risks for a child once they are able to find a job by limiting their career choices.

Pop culture advertising also has a negative effect on family mealtime. Commercial ads featuring tasty looking fast food meals subconsciously tell us that fast-food is better than a home cooked meal. Many fast food restaurants also offer a free toy based on an upcoming movie or popular cartoon that entices a child. David Brooks states, “You look out across the suburban landscape that is the essence of modern America, and you see the culture of Slurp & Gulps, McDonalds… (188).” It is the assortment of fun shaped food and sugary drinks that attracts children to these establishments. Not only do the restaurants have great tasting food and toys, but a child actor to boost popularity. Pop culture does a spectacular job at coaxing a family into a fast food restaurant with the latest and greatest toy that every kid must have. With pop culture’s influences on our children, parents are struggling with the idea of having their families sit down together at the table with a home cooked meal, often creating winless battles over family mealtimes.

Some people would argue that family mealtime is not as important as many believe it to be. Without the proper conversation starters, many family meals can be silenced by the chewing and drinking of mealtime. Some people would suggest setting aside other family time when distractions are less likely to occur. Marino and Butkus state that in some cases of family meals, “parents dominated or controlled the conversations, hostilities were brought up and children's opinions were suppressed.” With children’s voices disregarded, family mealtime could be damaging to a child’s self esteem. A person could also argue that eliminating breakfast gives people more time for sleep and that the average protein bar is healthier than cholesterol packed eggs and sugary cereals. In addition, while the advancement of technology can hinder communication skills, technology plays its part in trying to correct the problems resulting in the dissolve of family mealtime by allowing helpful websites to become accessible to parents. With these helpful resources, parents can find all they need at the click of a button to create long lasting memories at the family dinner table.

The tradition of family mealtimes is a memory most people can relate to. Many people can recall a memorable moment that occurred at the dinner table. Family mealtimes are important to the growth and development of children and adults. I will always remember all the meaningful conversations I had with my parents. My family mealtimes taught me proper table manners, nutrition and conversation skills, allowing me to do better in school and my career. While many people argue its importance, family mealtime is a tradition that results in healthier children and more courteous and responsible adults.

Works Cited

Brooks, David. “Our Sprawling, Supersize Utopia.” Remix. Ed. Catherine G. Latterell. Boston: Bedford/       St.Martin’s, 2010. 184-93. Print.

DeGeneres, Ellen. “This Is How We Live.” Remix. Ed. Catherine G. Latterell. Boston: Bedford/
St.Martin’s, 2010. 638-43. Print.

Marino, Martha and Sue Butkus. “Background: Research on Family Meals.” Background Research, Washington State University, n.d. Web. < http://nutrition.wsu.edu/ebet/background.html>

McEntire, Teresa. “Why Families Should Eat Dinner Together.” Families.com. 25 August 2006. Web. < http://parenting.families.com/blog/why-families-should-eat-dinner-together>

Schlosser, Eric. “Why McDonald’s Fries Taste So Good.” Remix. Ed. Catherine G. Latterell. Boston: Bedford/ St.Martin’s, 2010. 526-38. Print.