Is sitting around the dining table and sharing a meal as a family a "dying" art.?

Question

Are families losing the ability to communicate effectively and bond as a unit because sitting together, and sharing not only a meal, but also sharing the highs and lows of each members day, is now replaced by non attendance for the meal or eating it in silence in front of the TV?

Do you and your family still eat together as a general rule?

Do you see no need to return to this once "normative" practice?

If you are already doing this, or are planning to start doing it, what time will you serve dinner and what TV shows will you miss NO MATTER WHAT?

Better still...what TV shows are so important to watch, that you could NOT all eat a meal together and share the days events with each other, because you COULD NOT BARE TO MISS these favourite TV shows and would be irritated if the family "TALKED TO YOU" during them?

Carful examination of the questions will reveal no "detrimental" assumptions by me about TV. Certainly at no point have I said TV is BAD. Nor have I indicated my own preferences. I have simply asked a series of questions, including "is there no need to continue dining at the table" [paraphrasing] so that everyone can have the opportunity to voice their opinion.

The only assumpion I have made is that families generally do bond in one way or another, poorly or well, and I am asking is eating together aiding this, doid it ever aid it, should it aid it, or is TV interferring with bonding at the table over a meal. If it is, I am not assuming that families cant bond during other daily activities. Indeed, I would like to know what these activities are, when, and how people do it.

Answer 1

well you can truly see which famililies dine at a table together and which ones dont... the families with better values and that are closer together eat together... and it makes sense too, when i was growing up things were hectic and busy and im sure they are even more so today with families... but dinner time was the one time where the family was together enjoying 'quality time' ... our family did one even better ... immediately after dinner we would clear the table and clean up the dinner mess together, then sit down and visit in the living room with a family show on primetime running in the back ground... I actually miss that.

Answer 2

This is a rather loaded question, first of all.

But it is very likely that families are succumbing to the allure of the TV, but it may not be as detrimental as you assume it to be. For my family, we generally eat together, and we often end up watching the nightly drama as we eat. However, we often use this time as a template for discussion of anything from politics to the fashion, especially during commericials (which there are plenty of, nowadays).

The TV relaxes us and lowers barriers that we unconsciously set up, because it often gives us a common opinion. My family is not the perfect, "Oh honey, be good now!" stereotype showcased on old shows. We don't always talk to each other during TV-less meals, or else we end up fighting. The TV provides a distraction away from picking at each other's faults.

Sharing the day's events may help some well-adjusted families, but it is often an invitation for a fight in our family. And we eat late not because of TV shows, but because my parents work late.

For us, TV is not the most important thing; it's just an enjoyable side activity to eating. Perhaps you're just infuriated that your own family members are ignoring you for a show, but I don't think that TV is always as bad as you say.

Answer 3

generally it shouldnt be considered an art it should be a way of life. in my family sometimes we watch tv as we dine and discuss the shows content and sometimes we eat at the table. i have a big family and it can be difficult to get everyone together all at once. it was much easier to get the kids together when they were younge but now that they are teens and young adults some times it is impossible. there is no tv show that i cant miss tonight is the first night that i actually spent an hour infront of the tv and that s because i heard that america has talent was really good and i wanted to check it out.

Answer 4

My answer is probably tainted because we are fortunate enough to have Tivo.

We do eat together as a family pretty much every night. There are some nights when one of us is at an event or something, but those of us who are still home eat together. I think it is very important and don't think I would watch TV during mealtime even if we didn't have Tivo.

Answer 5

We used to sit at the dining room table together, but not anymore. Every one in this house has a different work schedule. We eat in shifts. Since I'm the one who does the cooking around here, I get to sit with the person I'm serving and listen to how their day had gone and I relate what they've told me to the next person in line.

Answer 6

Not as long as there are people willing to teach their children and families about Art appreciation.
It takes 30days to develop a habbit. And that is what makes family traditions, make it a habbit and it will continue through generations. If you have more then one child your chances are better that someone will carry on the tradition of eating together.

Answer 7

I have two children and the only way to teach them to eat is at the table with everyone else. I grew up without it and was always jelous of those tv shows that showed families who did.
When me and my husband do sit in front of the tv both of us talk and comment on whats going on. On tv in life ect

Answer 8

Ay caramba, don't even get me started on the damage TV has done and is continuing to do to our society!

We eat lunch together everyday, since my husband works 2nd shift. And you better believe that damn TV is OFF for our meal!

Answer 9

A dying art indeed. I will make sure my family eats together.
I think it's a great time for family bonding.

Answer 10

What's the dining table? Is that like the counter where you get your food at McDonald's?