->The theme song to "Leave it to Beaver" should play as I write this. But we all know the tradition of the once dad comes home from work the entire family sits around the large dining room table and enjoys dinner together. Well not to be too personal, but that was how my family was for the majority of my life. Seems a little funny now but, it started with my mother or I would prepare dinner, then after my father entered the door we would make an announcement for us four kids to set the table. After the table is set, another announcement is made declaring, "dinner is ready!" say grace, and eat. And this probably isn't too rare across America, but it still is somewhat traditional, or old-fashioned. Within the last couple years this "event" of a meal, has dwindled down to what we've named "Grab 'n' Go". These changes are the result of many occurances that have happened to our family. I wonder what the real percentages are for the decline of everyday "family meals together"?
Ohio State University's: Family and Consumer Sciences study wrote that only 42% of families eat dinner together most of the time. The reasons they give coincide with some of the reasons for my family. The study mention this decline happens when there are two parents with jobs.
A couple years ago, my mother got a second job to accompany her at home/computer job. This lead to myself or my sister to make dinner or eating out. The meals became less and less together when had less time due to work and my school schedules; followed by my sister moving upstate to school as well. So now after all these reasons, a really quick dinner is prepared or bought by someone and served buffet style....line up and eat wherever you'd like hence, "grab 'n' go".
OSU's study also described how eating dinner separate can lead to negative effects for the family. So far I see no real problems within my own family, other than a small decline of family discussions, but not too much. And no one is really too upset, but i think its a little unfair to my younger brothers (one a HS freshman, and the other a 5th grader). This is probably how they will eat for the rest of their non-adult lives. But hopefully, after writing this blog of mine, things can go back to how they were.... yay tradition!
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My family used to eat dinner together all the time as well. The parents would prepare the food while us children would set the table, then clear it once everyone had finished. No one was excused till then. Halfway through high school is when our family dinners became less common. My sister had left for college, my brother and I had sports or work after school, and my parents would end up making food for at least five that quickly got cold waiting for us. Dinner time turned into whenever you were hungry, fend for yourself with whatever is in the fridge. Our family is definitely not as close as we were, but I do not know if not eating dinner together is really to blame.
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