SOC/CRJS 316: Dinner as the Anti-Drug

Were you wondering why you were asked that question about eating dinner together? From the Los Angeles Times:

Research by a substance abuse center at Columbia University shows that one of the most effective ways to keep children off alcohol and drugs is for parents to simply to sit down with them at dinnertime.

The annual teen survey, conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, has consistently revealed a strong correlation between the frequency of family dinners and teen substance abuse risk. This year, 58% of teens reported having dinner with their family at least five times a week — the same as in the last few years and an increase since 1996, the first year the survey was done.

The obstacles to family dining are clear. One out of four teens say both their parents work late. Twenty-two percent say their family is too busy, and 21% say conflicting schedules are to blame. Also, 18% said that either the family does not choose to eat together or is watching television at mealtime.

"I grew up in the 1950s and '60s; both of my parents worked, but we had dinner together," he said.

The key, Burd said, was to find a way to have family time regardless of whether it occurred at the dinner table.

"Keep in mind there are three meals in a day; maybe for some people it might be easier to have breakfast together," he said. "The idea is communication."