Families are sharing meals less than ever in 2024, which is developing physical and mental health issues in our younger generations at an alarming rate.
As the American depicts, a husband would arrive home after a long workday and be greeted at the door with mouth-watering scents from the kitchen. He would sit down and enjoy his wife's perfect meal while sharing conversation with his wife and kids. The lifestyle back then supported a routine and ensured that families had time on a daily basis to bond with one another.
Oh, how times have changed, right?
In today's age, many people's lifestyles do not allow for family traditions like sharing meals. Since the 1960s, families have stopped sharing meals so much, and the value behind it has diminished throughout all cultures on earth. The leading list of factors to blame include:
- Declining marriage rates
- A higher percentage of women in the workforce
- Telephones, Television, Internet
- Availability to fast food and restaurants
- Food Delivery Services
- The COVID Pandemic
- Inflation and grocery prices
- Career factors [commute times, unique schedules, competitive stress]
Over time, humans have instinctively packed more into their daily occurrences, but to our demise, many today live in a state of overstimulation, often disregarding the importance of healthy eating habits and setting aside time to strengthen the family's bond.
Several families reported that family dinner doesn't work; the parents get home late, the kids are picky eaters, they do not get along or enjoy themselves around family, or nobody is willing to prepare a family meal daily.
Why is this a problem?
At first glance, a lack of mealtime connection seems harmless. However, this could not be further from the truth, which is hidden in the mealtimes we always overlook.
If you are a parent who has established a routine for your family to eat together frequently, you have protected everyone from a variety of issues.
In a family that does not share meals, children AND adults are highly prone to inevitable consequences:
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- Forming poor eating habits; developing health issues
One of the most significant responsibilities as a parent is developing healthy eating habits for the kids. Those who have yet to learn what is healthy, why healthy is optimal, and how to make healthy eating enjoyable will not know how to differentiate what is healthy for them.
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- Relying on junk food; poor financial sustainment.
In 2021, families spent 50% of their food budgets at restaurants, making food service a more significant industry than grocery stores for the first time in the United States. Children are psychologically discouraged from partaking in home cooking when they have glamorized perceptions of restaurants that they are used to. This habit is tough to overcome without a role model, causing a poor relationship with money and a risk of obesity in all ages.
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- Picky eaters
Children learn to treat food with an open mind at family dinners. When children develop picky eating habits, they can be incredibly hard to break. As the habit grows, it can lead to psychological and physical consequences that become a daily inconvenience.
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- Low Self Esteem
For many people, family dinners are one of the few places where they can fully express their true identity (mostly the children as they develop). Even though the modern-day lifestyle doesn't accommodate this habit (longer commute times, late work hours, remote work, etc.), it is crucial that we apply effort when applicable.
Around the table, your kids subconsciously develop manners and patience and validate their identity via you (their role models). On the contrary, when children are accustomed to eating alone, they have a higher chance of developing feelings of insecurity, low self-esteem, and depression.
Kids of all ages need to feel heard, and consistent loneliness can be detrimental to their growth. Teaching the processes of cooking, cleaning, and table cleanliness from a young age also builds a sense of appreciation for the effort, ultimately increasing their patience levels and awareness of a healthy eating lifestyle.
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- Delinquency
Often enough, these kids who frequently eat alone would find alternative ways to let their identity shine through (In their teenage years). Unfortunately, these kids end up finding drugs, alcohol, or a desire for crime and delinquency.
Before you make generalizations about this correlation, keep in mind what I mentioned earlier: Children NEED an environment to grow their identity. Without a role model or environment to show them right from wrong, we cannot blame these children, for they, like everyone, were simply looking for acceptance.
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- Conclusions
If you noticed, the consequences discussed above are primarily directed around children and their development; that was intentional.
Maintaining healthy food habits and integrating connection into meals are two crucial skills that must be taught. When a family doesn't value this lifestyle, growing kids are prone to developing physical and mental health issues, many of which are lifelong and incredibly challenging to break.
Suppose you read this as an adult who has always known how to eat well; congratulations! But suppose you fall into the other class of people who have or are trying to improve your eating habits by yourself. In that case, I commend you for taking on such a vast tribulation. The rest of your life will thank you.
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- TAKE ACTION!
However your dynamic looks, we at Totem challenge you to explore the hidden value stored in mealtime connections. We deserve nutrients that help us grow and an environment filled with love and bonding.
If you mostly eat alone, I challenge you to invite friends or family to dinner to see how it makes you feel. You will likely be filled with laughter, joy, and gratitude! To take it a step further, create a tradition of sharing meals with that person (people) on a weekly or monthly basis. Challenge yourself to develop new dishes and begin making memories and traditions that are guaranteed to improve your quality of life.
If shared mealtime is an everyday occasion for your household, remain conscious and grateful. Maintaining it is a difficult task, especially in the long term. Find the courage and challenge yourself to keep the occasion exciting; try new recipes, create a unique presentation, and spark deep conversations. Pour love into the occasion, which can be tedious, and watch your effort pay off due to an incredibly nourished family.
If you cook for yourself, your family, or incredibly large groups of people, we recommend you integrate Totem Serveware into every part of your food lifestyle. Our company creates innovative, durable serving products for all food occasions. Our signature product, the Totem Axis, can enhance the quality of any meal while providing ease to the mealtime process from start to finish.
We at Totem believe that our society steers away from our real priorities as human beings. Infrequent connections cause people to feel lost, develop health issues, and grow lonely.
The Totem Family and each of our products promote human connection, sharing, and growing stronger bonds every single day. We are driven to make all people conscious of these principles and assist them in forming connections filled with love and vibrancy.
We are grateful for your support and for completing this intricate topic.
Did we miss anything? Let us know your thoughts in a comment!
As always, Elevate, Share, and Enjoy!