Family Day is a national movement that was originally launched by Columbia University after research by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) indicated that children and teens who eat dinner with their families at least three times each week have much lower rates of substance abuse.
The research shows that compared to teens who eat dinner frequently with their families, those who have infrequent family dinners are three and a half times likelier to have abused prescription drugs, one and a half times likelier to have used alcohol and more than two and a half times likelier to have used tobacco.
The impact of having dinner together as a family is not limited to lower rates of substance abuse. According to research released by CASA, teens who have fewer than three family dinners in a typical week are more than twice as likely to do poorly in school. Twenty percent of teens who have infrequent family dinners report receiving mostly C's or below in school, whereas only 9 percent of teens who have frequent family dinners report receiving mostly C's or lower.
According to Jody Ruggiero, the founder and president of Reno-based Tune In To Kids, "Parent involvement is extremely important not only in curbing children's susceptibility to drug use, but also in decreasing the overwhelming effect the media has on young minds."
Her organization is responsible for encouraging community members to participate in Family Day as well as other events that help to increase parent involvement. Ruggiero hopes to educate others about the pivotal role parents play in their children's lives and learn the benefits of being involved, from decreasing the likelihood of drug use to decreasing the ostensible harms of watching certain television programs.
Ruggiero, who is a mother of two, was motivated to begin the organization upon hearing that immediately following the Columbine shooting, shock rock artist Marilyn Manson was scheduled to perform in Reno. Recognizing the tie between the shooters’ infatuation with the musician and the crimes they committed, Ruggiero was intent on keeping Manson out of Reno.
The small organization she began has now grown into a collaborative effort among more than 40 different organizations.
Tune In To Kids has developed into a year-long media literacy project, where the group attempts to educate parents about the effects of the media on children. The success of Tune In To Kids was not easily attainable, since initially it was difficult to rally the support of fellow community members.
"Society simply was not aware of the effects of the media on children,” Ruggerio said. “Now that significant research has been done about the undeniable effects of the media, many parents have realized that it is important to monitor what their children watch and listen to.”
For her work, the Reno City Council on Sept. 10 presented a proclamation to Ruggiero to note the importance of the celebration and lend support.
In an effort to increase the number of families that participate in Family Day, those who register on Tune In To Kid's Web site, www.tuneintokids.org, will be eligible to win a celebration dinner with Washoe County School District Superintendent Paul Dugan and chef Jennifer Bushman, who will prepare a dinner especially for the winning family.
For more information about Family Day or to register for the event, visit www.tuneintokids.org.
Post a Comment