2008 Woodie Awards
Commentary: College students should make effort to enjoy meals with those they live with
Katie Broderick
Issue date: 4/6/06 Section: Editorial
- Page 1 of 1
A New York Times article earlier this week said that after decades of decline, there is evidence that many families are making the effort to eat dinner together.
A survey conducted through Columbia University found that the number of children ages 12 to 17 who said they ate dinner with their families at least five times a week has risen to 58 percent, from 47 percent in 1998.
When I was younger, I almost always ate dinner with my family.
At the time, I would cringe and push around my food when my parents asked me "How was your day?" or "How's school?" for what seemed like the millionth time. My siblings and I also became extremely crafty at shoving the questioning on each other.
Now, however, I look back fondly and realize that my parents tried really hard to know what was going on in our lives, and I think that being forced to talk to them at the dinner table made it easier to come to them if I had questions or problems.
The New York Times also said a number of studies show that children who eat dinner with their families regularly are less likely to get involved with drugs and alcohol, tend to get better grades, exhibit less stress and eat better.
I really do think my parents tended to know a little bit more about who I hung out with and what I was up to than several of my friends' parents. At least my friends always seemed to get away with more, while I was quite often grounded.
And I know I ate better at the family dinner table than I ever do here at school, when I'm lucky to actually have the time to grab a Subway sandwich or a Hot Pocket. I think college students should make an effort to eat dinner with the members of their own household, whether they are spouses, roommates or parents.
It's amazing how we get caught up in the craziness of jobs, homework and other drama.
Sometimes I realize I have barely talked to my roommate in weeks.
And maybe, you can even convince someone else to cook.
A survey conducted through Columbia University found that the number of children ages 12 to 17 who said they ate dinner with their families at least five times a week has risen to 58 percent, from 47 percent in 1998.
When I was younger, I almost always ate dinner with my family.
At the time, I would cringe and push around my food when my parents asked me "How was your day?" or "How's school?" for what seemed like the millionth time. My siblings and I also became extremely crafty at shoving the questioning on each other.
Now, however, I look back fondly and realize that my parents tried really hard to know what was going on in our lives, and I think that being forced to talk to them at the dinner table made it easier to come to them if I had questions or problems.
The New York Times also said a number of studies show that children who eat dinner with their families regularly are less likely to get involved with drugs and alcohol, tend to get better grades, exhibit less stress and eat better.
I really do think my parents tended to know a little bit more about who I hung out with and what I was up to than several of my friends' parents. At least my friends always seemed to get away with more, while I was quite often grounded.
And I know I ate better at the family dinner table than I ever do here at school, when I'm lucky to actually have the time to grab a Subway sandwich or a Hot Pocket. I think college students should make an effort to eat dinner with the members of their own household, whether they are spouses, roommates or parents.
It's amazing how we get caught up in the craziness of jobs, homework and other drama.
Sometimes I realize I have barely talked to my roommate in weeks.
And maybe, you can even convince someone else to cook.
