With references to The Importance of Family Dinners II, published by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, September 2005.

A recent survey published by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University* disclosed the positive effects that sharing dinner as a family has on the behavior of teenagers.

This study consisted of interviewing 1000 teenagers (12-17 years-old) and 829 patients. The interview included a series of questions pertaining to the frequency of family dinners, whether the television was on, the amount of conversation and interaction, drug and alcohol use by the teens, and academic accomplishments.

The results of the survey revealed that 58% of the families had dinner together five or more times per week. Compared to the teens who had dinner as a family fewer than three times per week the teens who had family dinner five or more times a week were:

• 2.42 times less likely to smoke cigarettes;
• 1.73 times less likely to drink alcohol;
• 2.92 times less likely to try marijuana;
• 2.71 times more likely to report low levels of stress and tension at home;
• 41% more likely to confide in their parents with a serious problem; and
• 38% more likely get mostly As and Bs in school.

The survey also revealed that 24% of the students and 53% of the parents would like to have more dinners as a family.

Given the positive impact that family dinning has on teens, parents should strive to remove the barriers of dining together. These obstacles can include the work hours of the child or parents, long commute times, or after school activities. Proactive parenting may well include eliminating "good" activities (after school activities, working late.) to provide time for the preferred activity of having fellowship over dinner as a family. Better grades, lower substance abuse, and better familial relationships are great dividends for the small investment of spending time together as a family.

*The Importance of Family Dinners II, published by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, September 2005.