CASA surveyed 1,000 teens and 829 parents of teens and determined that teens having family dinners five or more times a week were 42 percent less likely to drink alcohol, 59 percent less likely to smoke cigarettes, and 66 percent less likely to try marijuana.
The survey also found that frequent family dinners were associated with better school performance, with teens 40 percent more likely to get As and Bs. Shockingly, the CASA report says teens who only have two or less family dinners a week “are twice as likely to smoke daily and get drunk monthly, compared to teens who have frequent family dinners (at least five per week).”
A Harvard University study found that family dinners were incredibly important ‘family events’ and helped children develop language skills, as well.
Other perks to family dinners are obvious. Typically, family dinners are healthier, so kids eat a more nutritious meal than they would from fast-food or take-out. Here is a succinct list from the CASA study of the benefits found for your teens:
- Families typically eats healthier meals
- Teens are less likely to become overweight
- Teens are less likely to try cigarettes
- Teens are less likely to drink alcohol, or consume as much as peers
- Teens are less likely to try marijuana
- Teens are less likely to use illicit drugs
- School grades will be better
- You and your kids will talk more
- You'll be more likely to hear about a serious problem
- Typically there will be less tension at home
So, will this growing body of research help my husband navigate his office culture and bravely leave by 6:30 p.m. two nights a week in order to be home for a scheduled 7:30 p.m. dinner? Stay tuned.
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