For many centuries, eating together has been a special ceremony that family members tried not to miss. Nowadays, fewer and fewer families are tend to share their meals together. While some people may think that there are no serious effects, I mostly consider this trend to be negative.
In today’s fast-paced world, many people usually try to bite off more they can chew. Not only do they want to get a university degree, but sometimes they even work multiple jobs. It means that people are so focused on their careers that they might forget about family values and do not spend any time with their relatives and closest people at all. Due to a lack of time, family dinners and lunches are missed and people have to grab a bite between their meetings and eat in public places separated from their families. Conflicting schedules can also prevent people from eating together. For instance, a wife may have to wait for hours, and by the time her husband returns from work, it is already too late to have a dinner together. All in all, a heavy workload and conflicting schedules play a key role on this trend.
From my view point, this trend may lead to serious consequences in family relationships. By having a meal together, people may share various news and findings, discussing both their emotions and opinions about what is happening. Thanks to this, they can develop common interests and become closer to each other. When family members eat separately, they tend to be glued to their phones instead of talking to each other. This can lead to misunderstandings and drive the family apart. In addition, another serious issue might be the lack of healthy nutrition habits in children. Adults can set a good example by sharing healthy meals with their children and explaining the benefits of vegetables, fruits, etc.
In conclusion, while this tendency, which arises as a result of a lack of time and busy workdays, may seem harmless, I believe that it can lead to numerous problems, such as poorer communication within the family and children’s unawareness about healthy eating habits.