Elkind characterizes the modern family as a group of autonomous individuals. This structure,

researchers have found, leaves little or no time for the traditional family dinner meal.

What have
researchers discovered is important for child development that occurs during family dinner
time? How else might this be accomplished? As families eat ‘on the run" how might this be
related to the increase in the rate of type 2 diabetes?
What will be an ideal response?

Researchers have found that conversation iswhat occurs during family dinner time.
Conversation increases a child's ability to read more than being read to does. Children benefit from
the rich adult vocabulary that is occurring during the meal. A second positive result of family dinner
time is that children realize that their parents value them. Conversations can occur at other times.
However, parents must realize that over scheduling does not allow for quality conversation
interaction. As more families eat ‘on the run', packaged foods and fast foods become more of an
option. With dual-working parents, cooking becomes a leisure activity. Fast and packaged foods are
more likely to be high in calories, sugar and fats which may lead to an increase in weight.