Family Circle magazine surveyed American families in 1993 and again in 2003. In the Oct. 15, 2003 issue, they reported on "The State of the American Family." Their title, "Stressed but Strong," tried to put a positive spin on it, but many of the statistics were discouraging:

• "The number of people who say their family is very close, for example, dropped from 75 to 55%."
• Now 36 percent are concerned about illegal drugs being sold in their neighborhoods, compared to 23 percent 10 years ago.
• Families with members facing depression or another psychological disorder jumped from 17 to 49 percent.
• "28% of parents are very satisfied with the time they spend with their kids versus 48%" in 1993.
• 81 percent ate dinner together once a week or more (it was 90 percent 10 years ago), but now 46 percent attend religious service less than yearly to never. It was 30 percent in 1993.
  Speaking of meals, U.S. News and World Report highlighted what kids are eating in the Nov. 17, 2003, issue (pages 63-64). "Only 2 percent of children currently eat a diet consistent with the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommendations... Overall children's caloric intake increased by about 80 to 230 calories a day (depending upon age) between 1989 and 1996... In 1977, 1 in 10 meals kids ate was from fast-food restaurants; by 1996, 1 in 3 meals was fast food. Fast-food kids' meals contain nearly twice the calories of meals prepared at home."