Comportements, préoccupations et priorités liés à l'utilisation du temps entourant les repas familiaux au Québec

In 2011, a citizen participation initiative was deployed in 16 regions of Quebec. The objective was to study parental behaviors, priorities and concerns related to meal planning, preparation and sharing. During the tour of a caravan, facilitators gathered a large volume of qualitative data that were summarized in quantitative data. The results indicate that the low priority given for meal planning is associated with problems and stress at mealtime. Parents are aware that planning influences the efficacy, pleasure and atmosphere while cooking. Sharing of responsibilities was also discussed. Among different meal scenarios, the harmony of the discussions at the table and children behavior were discussed. In a fictive election, parents would support candidates for whom work-life balance and learning to cook at school would be prioritized. The research allowed a critical reflection on the daily experience of a series of actions surrounding family meals.