American families continue a bonding tradition of eating together

[caption id="attachment_22043" align="alignleft" width="547"] Family tradition of eating together[/caption]

Marsha Hunt---With the fast-paced life most Americans live, one might think most families don't dine together, but a recent Gallup poll reflects the fact that folks continue to dine together as a cultural standard in American homes.

The Gallup poll results find that most families have at least the evening meal together six times weekly.

This includes approximately 53% of American families.

This finding reflects the fact that some of the stereotypes assumed about American families are often revealed to be just that, stereotypes and not facts. Teenagers, in fact, report eating at home most days after school as opposed to a restaurant or by themselves.

This is a healthy sign, as in recent months there has been strong recommendations that family members eat together with the admonition that the family that eats together, stays together. Dinner times are seen as ways to promote learning and communication, as family members discuss the events of the day, a special project or learning experience. It also promotes better eating habits and establishes family bonding.


The holidays are special times for many families. The bond established in eating together is also observed as important during major times of celebration, such as Christmas, Easter, the 4^th of July and other occasions when families get together and break bread.

It continues to be the custom that continues in American life, a custom that reveals that families, and their habits, are not as fragmented as one might have thought.