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Rudy Ruggles, Editor
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Thursday, 17 September 2009 00:00 |
Work, school, activities, friends, and other obligations can at times pull family members apart rather than bring them together. You don't necessarily have to change activities to find family time. Just be creative. Time at Home is Asset 20 of Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets, the qualities, experiences, and relationships that help young people grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.
Research shows spending quality time together as a family helps young people strengthen skills such as leadership, good health, and success in school. Of the Ridgefield High School Freshmen who took the Search Institute's Attitudes and Behaviors survey last year, over two thirds reported spending no more than two nights a week with friends "with nothing special to do". However, 60 per cent of the Seniors surveyed reported spending more than two nights a week "hanging out" with friends. This time spent "with nothing special to do" not only offers increased opportunity to be confronted by negative peer pressure but it also detracts from the chance of quality time with the family. Protecting young people from risky behaviors and helping them develop positive behavior is easier when you spend time together as a family. Research clearly shows, for example, that the more times per week a family has dinner together, the lower the likelihood of adolescents becoming involved in substance abuse. The objective is not to interfere with quality time with friends, but to increase quality time at home.
Simply start spending time together: First, choose an activity the entire family enjoys. Then, commit to do the activity together one evening a week. Decide if you want to continue the activity or try something different. Ask yourselves: How often do we laugh together? Have fun together? Enjoy being with each other?
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