It is true that many modern families tend to eat together less frequently. This can be attributed to several factors, stemming from , which leads to several drawbacks.
There are several explanations as to why family meals are disappearing. The first possibility is that the heavier workloads or hectic schedules deter people in the family from spending time together. In fact, in order to provide families with a fulfilling life, those parents or young workers tend to work not only nine-to-five jobs, but also part-time jobs or extra time. In terms of students, to excel academically, most students have extra classes after school, so they are likely to have meals outside. A second reason worth mentioning is that the fast food culture of modern life has been affecting the eating habits of young people. Simply put, the young generations can easily find an alternative meal at fast food restaurants or convenience stores despite coming home to cook or have dinner time, then continuing heading to work or study.
There are major detrimental effects on family members’s mental health stemming from lack of family meals. Firstly, spending time together to eat home-made food contributes to strengthening family bonds, which means that family meals are the time for members to share stories, feelings and develop deeper connections. As a result, young people, especially students, who have to face a chaotic environment at school are not able to express their opinions or deal with daily issues because of lack of interaction and communication with family. Furthermore, with elderly members, who are easily prone to a sense of isolation and neglect, cannot connect with younger members for a long time and thus lead to depression.
In conclusion, the fast pace of life and changing people’s eating habits may explain why people nowadays no longer have meals with their family. I believe that the drawbacks involved are of greater importance.