Benefits of Family Dinners

With everyone always being on the go, it can seem very difficult to actually sit down and have a family dinner on a regular basis. However, the benefits of having a sit-down dinner with the whole family regularly are clear. Research has shown that family dinners benefit teenagers the most, though this is the age at which family dinners occur less frequently.


Drug and Alcohol Prevention

It has been shown that teenagers who engage in regular family dinners use drugs and alcohol much less frequently than teenagers who do not eat regularly with their families. The Administration on Youth and Families has done extensive research in this area and the results are in clear support of family dinners. The study compared teenagers who ate with their family two or less times per week to teenagers who ate with their family five or more times each week. They found that the teenagers who ate with their family at least five times per week were 32% less likely to have tried cigarettes, 45% less likely to have tried alcohol, and 24% less likely to have used marijuana. These results are probably due to the fact that the teenager spends more time and home and has a strong relationship with their parents and other family members. Often times, this relationship goes a long way towards preventing negative adolescent behavior.

Education

Children who regularly eat dinner with their family often perform better in school. In fact, the study done by the Administration on Youth and Families showed that children who had regular family dinners were twice as likely to have A’s in school. In addition, children who do not engage in regular family dinners are more likely to watch television while eating. Children who watch less television are more likely to do well in school. Regular family dinners are also a great way to practice social skills, such as patience and being polite, for both children and adults. Children who take part in family dinners also typically have a greater understanding about nutrition and are more aware of what they are eating, which can help prevent eating disorders and obesity.