Kaori

Dear IWE friends. Please read my article and respond by clicking of discussion tab top of the page. Thanks. Kaori.

708098 Kaori Baba The Importance of Family Meals Ⅰ INTRODUCTION

In my first term, I heard about Zimbabwe from Masline who is come from Zimbabwe. In Zimbabwe, people have dinner with their family together is very important. I heard that they always eat supper together with their family in Zimbabwe. I impressed with this custom and I think I will examine about family meal around the world. Is it important to eat breakfast, lunch, and supper with their family together in every country? As for my family, we seldom eat meal together all of my family recently because we have different time to be at home. Moreover, my father and mother are busy to work. And, my younger sister and I are busy to have a school and study. By the way, the more time passes, the more technologies are improved. We can have meal easily by using microwave. Also, pre-cook meal is popularized. I think these situations also causes people don’t have meal with their family. In Japan, these situations are spread. However, how about other countries such as developing countries? Furthermore, when I went to Canada for my short term study abroad, my host father always cooked as well as my host mother. It has never happened in my home of Japan. Cooking meal is a part of my mother in my home, also in Japan in general. I want to know meal form of around the world. What is the benefit to eat meal with family together?

Ⅱ BACKGROUND According to Miriam Weinstein who is journalist in America, she said that enjoyment is goal one. Eating is one of life most available pleasures. It is even more satisfying when it is shared. (Miriam Weinstein) When people eat meal with their family, we will conversation with them. So, we can feel enjoyment by eating. In brief, eating food is one of the communication tools with family. In addition, family guide website indicate the 　 importance of eating food with family. S itting across the table is where and when you can find out more about their children’s likes, dislikes, and daily life. Having this information can help you direct your children toward positive activities and behavior, reducing the likelihood that they will get involved with alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs. (FAMILY GUIDE website) Eating food with family can prevent from leading a life of vice of children. Eating food gives influence to usual life, too. According to survey of Tokyo Metropolitan government (2007), half of Japanese in Tokyo which is capital city of Japan eat meal with their family almost every day. Also, 20 percent of them eat meal with their family from 2 to 5 times a week. As a result, 70 percent of them eat meal with their family. By contraries, 30 percent of them rarely eat meal with their family.

References 1. The power of family meal - October/16/2009 [|URL:http://www.poweroffamilymeals.com/MealtimeIdeas/Blog_Details_20091012.aspx] The J.M. Smucker Company 2. Family Guide -October/16/2009 URL: [] Mental Health Resources and Help Locator 3. Tokyo Metropolitan Government -October/25/2009 [|URL:http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/INET/CHOUSA/2007/09/60h9d113.htm] Tokyo Metropolitan Government