Karla Passey de Bustamante and Dr. Mark Grover, Humanities
“Society without basic family life is without foundation and will disintegrate into nothingness. Our political institutions…cannot rescue us if our basic institution, the family, is not intact. ”
The importance of the family as a basic societal unit has been addressed from various points of view in distinct religious and academic fields of thought. Many have addressed the significance of quality family time, particularly shared dinner opportunities, to reduce negative behaviors in youth as well as increase positive characteristics. The majority of these studies and related movements to foment family togetherness have largely focused on quantitative study results, linking at-risk behaviors to absence of family time and successful academic participation to regular, reliable family connectedness. Nevertheless, few studies have been dedicated to viewing how family time contributes to reinforcing youth in positive attributes.
How is something so unavoidable as eating food, having the nutrients necessary for one’s body, linked to the transmission of emotional and mental vitamins at the dinner table, the tools that contribute to increased positive behaviors and a prophalactic against the formation of at-risk practices in youth? The question that remains unanswered is how having time together as a family, even a family that is not ideal, can lead to increased mental and emotional health in youth. How do families transfer values and identity at the table that are not strengthened elsewhere? The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent out a message, calling to everyone. They said, “We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society .” The point of this study was to answer this call and to illustrate the transmission of culture, both familial and regional, as well as expectations for behavior in such a simple, quotidian act as meal preparation and consumption.
Throughout the study, the researcher was able to identify points that mattered in each family unit. For instance, in one family, uniqueness or diffrentiation from other individuals is a value illustrated in many options that the father follows. He elects a vocabulary that marks him as an educated man and corrects his children’s “popular” (not base) speech with more refined language. The father in this household also prepares the family meal. His meals are not the typical Chilean meals consumed in the area and all have names. For participation in the study, he prepared “Chilenazo.” This was Chinese food, with a Chilean approach to seasonings and preparation. This meal was different from how others would prepare Chinese food, even in the same sector of Santiago, Chile. During meal preparation, this was one of the points that surfaced repeatedly, that is, how to set oneself apart from others. This value, then, permeated all aspects of life and was visible even in the kitchen.
Limitations in this study include the study group itself. The quantity of participants was not large, instead including only the investigator’s future family (ie. the researcher’s fiancée’s extended family) and like-family members. This is also a benefit, as it provided opportunities in which the participants were more relaxed and willing to share commentary because the investigator was already considered to be a member of their group. The intimate relationship with the participants also enabled the investigator to identify more readily various aspects of the participants’ personalities that were visible during the study. This is obviously subject to the biased perspective of the researcher. Additionally, the participants all knew that the investigator is vegetarian and, at the time of the study, engaged to be married. In the case of the former, this influenced them to select meals that do not contain meat so that the researcher would share the meal with the family. In the case of the latter, this knowledge surely had an influence on the kind of information shared in the cooking experiences. Nevertheless, this may not necessarily be a limitation, as the comments made in the kitchen reflect upon the life stages of the cooks and cooks’ aids (family members). These stages continue to change much as the images of a kaleidoscope. The investigator’s life stages would, therefore, become important to the participants who look to share their life experiences. Future studies in this field would benefit from a longer study period and, likely, a larger group.
At the outset of the study, the researcher planned to participate only in meal preparation and leave the family the opportunity to eat in comfort, without the intervention of a third-party. This decision was particularly important to avoid complications with the researcher’s dietary limitations. The connection to the study participants changed the expectations, including the researcher at the dinner table as well as in the kitchen. This was a positive change, as the research could include the interactions of the family members, one of the most vital parts of viewing the importance of daily meals. Also, with many participants in the study, the researcher was also included in selection of the ingredients for the meal. This also showed how the person who prepared the meal valued mealtime and likely how he or she would influence family members.
Images of family moments illustrate how routine events in life influence, or are influenced by, the other aspects of life. The opportunity for community also provides personal affirmation, where each person can also feel that who they are matters. The present study did not propose to utilize a precise science to show how this happens or collect empirical data. Rather, it intended to encourage individuals to take advantage of the organism’s need to have sustenance to also fulfill the psychological need for a connection to one’s own generation and ancestors. It seems apparent that as each person feels support in their home, they will need to seek it less elsewhere. They will feel accepted and have a stronger self-esteem. As individuals look inwards to their families and the strength, approval and appreciation offered in this intimate setting, they will find the inner capability to confront disharmony and obstacles outside the home. This empowerment prepares them to fortify others. Hence, the lessons instilled in the kitchen and around the table shape future generations and determine in which direction society will move.
References
- Kimball, Spencer W. 2006. Teachings of the Presidents of the Church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Salt Lake City, UT. pg. 204
- Weinstein, Miriam. 2005. The Surprising Power of Family Meals: How Eating Together Makes Us Smarter, Stronger, Healthier, and Happier. Steerforth Press: Hanover, NH. pg 12.
- The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1995. “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Salt Lake City, UT.