By Rebecca Tolpin ’14, Staff Writer

Picture for a moment the following scenario. A student comes home after a hard day of backbreaking work. This student feels like he or she can finally have some free time and have a breath of fresh air. However, as soon as this student sits down at his or desk, he or she must crack open a textbook and get to work. Meanwhile, this student’s parents are not home. The parents are working hard at their jobs. The student makes him- or herself some food and has a small dinner. The mother and father arrive home very late, and they eat a little bit before going to sleep.

This situation is not very uncommon in today’s society, but it was not always this way. Many years back, family dinner was far from an anomaly. Family members shared how their day went in a nice long dinner table conversation. The culture has changed a lot since then.

As our values are changing, so is our technology. Technology is used for many hours each day, whether it is Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or even checking your email. Instead of spending their free time with their families, students sometimes take a small Facebook break. The time spent on Facebook and the time spent on actual homework adds up, making no room for family time.

At Newark Academy the academics are very rigorous, so when the rest of the family may have some time available to watch a movie or go out to eat, students must finish their homework and study for tests. Sometimes parents are also very busy, or arrive home very late, so family time is once again pushed to the side. This in turn cuts down on valuable communication.

The American culture promotes a successful go-getter work ethic; if you can’t keep up, then you fall behind. What is becoming more important than family unity is achieving in life, and having a successful career as an adult. In Newark Academy the ideal of the “perfect student” is carried on most people’s backs as they attempt to be in all honors, AP, and IB classes. Many students strive to receive the IB Diploma.  Students have a lot of pressure put on them to do well in all of their endeavors. The students will eventually grow up and have to work hard like their parents to bring in the money for their families. Adults and children cannot be lazy because it is frowned upon.

However, all hope is not lost. Even though children and parents may find themselves very busy there are small ways that families can communicate with each other, even if they are brief. Using breaks from studying to talk to parents (instead of scrolling the Facebook news feed), or building in small activities (such as grocery store shopping) to busy schedules can help students to connect. These bits of time may seem minuscule, but they add up in the long run.