The latest research from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) once again confirms the importance of regular family dinner times in reducing teen at-risk behaviors, and improving relationships, communication and academics. Teens who have a family dinner 5 to 7 times per week see the greatest benefits in all areas.
Interestingly,
according to the study, family dinners only last 35 minutes on average,
which strikes me as not a huge investment of time (okay, I know there's
dinner preparation and cleanup time too) for some terrific benefits!
Read the study results clicking on the source link below.
Source: CASA
http://www.casacolumbia.org/absolutenm/articlefiles/380-Importance%20of%20Family%20Dinners%20V.pdf