Part of what makes special occasions special is the foods they are synonymous with. We have cake on our birthdays, candy on Halloween, and turkey on Thanksgiving. How these culinary staples became linked with these holidays is rarely questioned because we all enjoy sweets, and blowing out candles is fun. But is that reason enough for them to be integral to our holidays? Why is Thanksgiving Day, the celebration of harvest and gratitude, synonymous with turkey dinner? The Original Menu Many in America believe we model our Thanksgiving cuisine after the menu of offerings available during the original feast. But in 1621, the Plymouth Pilgrims and Wampanoag did not eat like we do today. Moreover, they did not see their meal as a special occasion. Thanksgiving dinner has been used to celebrate the autumn harvest for hundreds of years and is a tradition that predates the colonies. The Wampanoag people brought venison to the party, and the Pilgrims supposedly brought wildfowl. While an estimated 10 million wild turkeys were prowling the Americas at the time, the Pilgrims more likely dined on duck and goose — which begs the question: If the Pilgrims didn’t eat turkey on the “original” Thanksgiving, why do we? A Love/Hate Relationship Turkey became the staple of Thanksgiving dinner due to a few contributing factors. Unlike chickens and cows, which can provide eggs and milk, turkeys are only useful to farmers as a source of meat. As gruesome as it may sound, that fact also makes turkeys disposable. Additionally, one turkey can typically feed a whole family, so it became a popular source of protein in America. However, it may be cultural staples, like Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” and Sarah Hale’s novel “Northwood,” both portraying decadent turkey meals, that played a more significant part in its popularity on the holiday table. Hale was also a key campaigner for Thanksgiving to bring together families across America and repair a nation splintered by the Civil War. In 1863, Abraham Lincoln granted her wish and made Thanksgiving an official national holiday. She was likely the biggest factor in turning turkey into the star of Thanksgiving dinner and, as a result, is likely the nemesis of turkeys everywhere. In 2022, about 210 million turkeys were farmed across the country, and Americans consumed 46 million on Thanksgiving alone. GOBBLE, GOBBLE The Thanksgiving Turkey Tradition
OVERRULED TAKES A LOOK AT THE ‘INTERNET GENERATION’
A recent study has highlighted that many Generation Z graduates are entering job interviews unprepared, struggling with maintaining eye contact, dressing inappropriately, and even involving their parents in the process. These behaviors are making employers reluctant to hire younger candidates. But what is the root cause? Gen Z is the first generation never to know the world without the internet. Brad and David explore the impact of social media, especially platforms like TikTok, on the social skills and mental well-being of Gen Z, often referred to as the “loneliest generation.” The prevalence of misinformation on social media has also compromised critical thinking skills in various situations, which is a concern they share. They also address how parents can help their children navigate these social challenges and avoid common pitfalls that many young adults in Gen Z encounter. A significant challenge for parents is managing social media usage,
but it’s crucial for fostering more in-person interactions, which are vital for enhancing long-term social competencies. Having mastered the current digital realm, it will be interesting to observe how Gen Z fares with future face-to-face interactions.
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