ARE FAMILY VALUES FADING AWAY?

Family is the basic unit of procreation on earth. Years past, families could not survive without a man heading affairs to keep the family united and growing. It is becoming common now with single parents most especially with the case of women single-handedly caring for their children.

Since man came to earth, we have always had values that helps us guide ourselves in living with each other peacefully and functional. These values are gradually giving way in the family system due to various factors and apparent among them being technology and the need to keep up financially. Sometime ago, family use to be a strong adhesive kept its members together it did everything it can to sustains its members. That in turn provided supports and nourished the members throughout the span of that family.

Years ago in Western lands, many homes had a treasured ritual. The whole family gathered around a table, at least once a day, to have a meal. No interruptions were allowed. Nobody watched tv, wore earphones, or sent text messages to friends. A peaceful environment provided an opportunity for those present to share daily experiences, absorb wisdom, strengthen family bonds, and laugh together over daily happenings while enjoying wholesome food.

For many people today, the family meal may sound like an old-fashioned custom. In many homes family meals are the exception not the rule. Why do families find it so difficult to eat together? Is this traditional custom worth preserving? What benefits could it bring to each family member?

The fact that it (the evening meal) had visibly diminished in the source of a single generation is remarkable evidence of how rapidly our social connections has been changing. What factors have contributed to this phenomenon? First, the high cost of living has led both husbands and wives to work longer hours. Single parents, whose economic situation is usually more precarious, face an even greater strain on their time.

Second, today’s hectic pace of life encourages fast food and hasty meals. Not only adults but also children have many commitments, such as sports and other after school activities.

Additionally, there are fathers who prefer to arrive home when the toddlers are already asleep because they want to avoid tantrums at supper. Other parents, who do get home in time, choose to give the children supper first and send them to bed so that they could wake up early to prepare for school whiles husband and wife have a quiet meal together.

Such situations lead families to have separate eating sessions. Notes stacked on the refrigerator have come to replace mealtime conversation. Each member of the family arrives home, warms a precooked dish, and sits in front of a Tv set to watch their favourate programmes or sit in front a computer to finish the day’s work better not, sit in front of a game console to play a favourate game. These social trends may seem irreversible. So is it worthwhile to think seriously about bucking the trend?