Prestwich | 1 KP Stacie Weatbrook ENG 2010 September 13, 2013 ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY Cook, Eliza, and Rachel Dunifon.

Do Family Meals Really Make a Difference? Parenting in Context. (2012):1-7. Web. 11 Sept. 2013. In the article Do Family Meals Really Make a Difference? Eliza Cook and Rachel Dunifon focus on the meaning of the statistics and research involved on the topic of family mealtimes (1). They found differences in studies based on definition, frequency, and crosssectional studies vs. longitudinal studies (3). Cook and Dunifon state, While research on family meals is still evolving, and scholars face challenges in identifying the true effects of family meals, evidence to date suggests that family meals do provide benefits for children and youth (3). They set forth three ideas to help make family mealtime better (4). Eliza Cook and Rachel Dunifon seem to be credible rhetors. They have done their homework on researchers and their statistics. I think their looking at definition, frequency, and cross-sectional studies vs. longitudinal studies bring more credibility to their research. I was wondering how one would be able to accurately measure the results when there are so many factors involved that need consideration. Fiese, Barbara H., Kimberly P. Foley, and Mary Spagnola. Routine and Ritual Elements in Family Mealtimes: Contexts for Child Well-Being and Family Identity. New Directions for Child & Adolescent Development 2006.111 (2006): 67-89. Academic Search Premier. Web. 13 Sept. 2013. In the article Routine and Ritual Elements in Family Mealtimes: Contexts for Child Well-Being and Family Identity, Barbara Fiese, Kimberly Foley, and Mary Spagnola look at how there is more to family mealtimes than just eating food (67). The authors look at the social and emotional parts connected with family rituals (67). They report, Routines and rituals can be distinguished along three dimensions: communication, commitment, and continuity (69). Those three parts are further explored by the authors and reveal that problem solving, emotional involvement, and a sense of belonging are benefits of the mealtime ritual (87). They say, planning ahead a few nights a week may be sufficient to preserve this important ritual. (87). Barbara Fiese et al seem to be credible rhetors. Fiese who leads the research has nine publications on subjects including family psychology and mealtimes. Their findings have been edited by peers. I think their focus on both routine and ritual elements of mealtimes will give more depth to my topic, which gives consideration to the communication, commitment, and continuity aspects of mealtimes. I agree with their findings about how important the time spent together as a family at mealtimes influences the well-being of the child.

Prestwich | 2 Forthun, Larry. Family Nutrition: The Truth About Family Meals. EDIS. (2012):1-4. Web. 10 Sept. 2013. Assistant Professor Larry Forthun in his document Family Nutrition: The Truth About Family Meals claims the family meal is a magic bulletsomething that would improve the quality of your daily life, your childrens chances of success in the world, [and] your familys health . . .(1). He says trends show three-fourths of people who participated in a 2007 survey eat meals together as a family at least four times a week (1). Forthun claims family mealtimes strengthen the family while providing togetherness, security, and a feeling of belonging (1). He cites research with findings to support his claims on health, communication and social skills (2). Forthun concludes, Although there is no guarantee that eating together as a family will resolve all family problems, it may provide the opportunity to make a fresh start (2). He provides ideas on how to improve the mealtime experience (3). Larry Forthun teaches Human Development at the University of Florida. He seems to be a credible rhetor with his list of credentials. I think this document will be useful with research information and his findings that support the positive benefits of family meals. Forthun touched on the ethnic, cultural, or religious heritage influence on family mealtimes which will bring a new dimension to my paper. Fritz, Gregory K. The Importance of the Family Dinner. Brown University Child & Adolescent Behavior Letter Feb. 2006: 8. Academic Search Premier. Web. 6 Sept. 2013. Psychiatrist Gregory K. Fritzs commentary, The Importance of the Family Dinner, shares his thoughts regarding the benefits of eating together often as a family (8). Fritz uses studies to back up his claims (8). While it is not easy with the demands on todays families, he urge[s] his patients to make it a priority to eat together (8). Fritz emphasizes, Talking, connecting, sharing their lives is as crucial to sustaining a family as is food, and during a family dinner they occur together (8). He brings up some other factors which help make family mealtimes successful (8). Fritz notes a recurring infrequency of family mealtimes in the families of children he sees and believes regular family mealtimes are the best preventative approach to improving child mental health (8). Gregory Fritz seems to be a credible rhetor. He is a professor of psychiatry at Brown University School of Medicine, the Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; Medical Director, Bradley Hospital. Fritz has co-authored seven publications in his field. I want to encourage people to have family mealtimes and I think his commentary provides evidence that supports his claims about the importance of family dinner. His experience as a psychiatrist in working with children gives him the opportunity to see firsthand what benefits a child and what does not. I would think his personal experience and clinical experience work together to prove his point.

Survey 50 people. I conducted a survey of 50 people, twenty-eight college students and professors at Salt Lake Community College and twenty-two individuals at Harmons grocery store. When asked how frequently they ate together as a family during a typical week, 32% indicated they ate 7 or more times, 24% ate 5 to 6 times, 18% ate 3 to 4 times, 20% ate 1 to 2 times, and 6% never ate

Prestwich | 3 any meals together. The meal they most frequently consumed as a family was dinner at 92%. There were 86% of individuals surveyed who believe family mealtime strengthens their family while 2% did not, and 12% were unsure. This survey gives me a general idea of typical averages.