Town Board proclaims Sept. 25 as 'Family Day' in Amherst
Several years ago, the Amherst Task Force began implementing an asset building initiative. What this means to this community is that you have a group of people working together to raise the resiliency and character of the youth in the town, building on the belief that a healthy community produces healthy youth.

 

Part of this effort is to strengthen the families in the community. The Amherst Town Board, a partner in the asset building initiative, proclaimed Monday, Sept. 25 to be Family Day in the Town of Amherst. Family Day is one day in the year set aside for people to eat dinner with their families.

Most of us would say, "What? Do we need a special day for this?" The reality is that apparently we do. Eight percent of the kids in our town report that they never eat dinner with their family, and another 9 percent eat dinner with their family only twice during a week's time.

Why the big fuss about family dinners? Though eating dinner as a family may seem like a simple thing, it can make a world of difference. Research by the Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University has consistently shown the more often young people sit down at the dinner table with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink, use illegal drugs or be involved in other negative behaviors.

Benefits of frequent family dinners include:

. Youth are at half the risk for substance abuse compared to teens who dine with their families infrequently.

. Youth are less likely to have friends or classmates who use illicit drug or abuse prescription drugs.

. Youth have lower levels of tension and stress at home

. Youth are more likely to say that their parents are proud of them.

.Youth are likelier to say they can confide in their parents.

. Youth are likelier to get better grades in school

. Youth are more likely to be emotionally content and have positive peer relationships.

. Youth have healthier eating habits.

. Youth are at lower risk for thoughts of suicide.

. Youth are less likely to try marijuana or have friends who use marijuana.

Additional research has shown that teens who eat frequent family dinners are less likely than other teens to have sex at young ages and more likely to be involved in positive peer relationships.

CASA says that even though these outcomes are all tied to family dinners, it is not the act of eating together that makes the difference but what it symbolizes.

Parents who eat dinner with their children regularly tend to know what's going on in their children's' lives and what problems and tough decisions their kids face. These children also are likelier to talk their problems over with parents.

CASA research has conclusively shown that parent power is the most potent and most underutilized tool we have in preventing our children from using

Amherst substances or engaging in other risky behavior. If your family already eats dinner together several times a week, congratulate yourself! If you've gotten out of the habit of eating meals together regularly as a family, you may feel at a loss as to where to begin.

As teens become more involved with after-school sports, part-time jobs and activities with friends, it can be tough to keep the pattern of family meals a regular part of family life, especially if both parents work. With everyone's busy schedules, it may seem that there isn't enough time together around the table. We know it's a challenge but look at the benefits.

When families regularly eat together and can count on that time to talk about their day - how things went in school, at practice or in their budding relationships - their kids are more likely to grow up healthy, safe and drug-free.

For hints on getting back in the habit and making dinner a family affair again, contact Sally at the Erie County Council for the Prevention of Alcohol and Substance Abuse at 839-1157 or log onto www.casacolumbia.org and click on Family Day. Bon Appetit!

The Healthy Community*Healthy Youth column is presented as a forum for family discussion. Your comments and suggestions are welcome. If you have an idea for a topic, please let us hear from you. Send a note to the Amherst Task Force, 4255 Harlem Road, Amherst, N.Y. 14226 or e-mail Sally@eccpasa.info.