Journals / Journal of Innovative Research in Social Studies / 2026 / Cilt: 9 Sayı: 1

The Effects of Eating Together on Social Ties in Primary School Classrooms: A Qualitative Study

İlkokul Sınıflarında Birlikte Yemek Yemenin Sosyal Bağlara Etkisi: Nitel Bir Çalışma

Hüseyin Köksal(GAZİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ, GAZİ EĞİTİM FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0003-3805-2810
Ayşen Başar Sağlam(Milli Eğitim Bakanlığı)0000-0001-8667-3166
Yakup Can Tayfur(Milli Eğitim Bakanlığı)0000-0002-8736-5621
Pages
16–35
Publication Date
2026-07-18
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

It was observed that group belonging developed, and that in students' language use there was a tendency from “I language” to “we language.” The studuy demonstrates the positive effects of commensality on classroom climate and student behaviors by revealing its potential to develop social capital in educational settings.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Most commensality (eating together) studies in the literature have been conducted in the fields of nutrition and health.
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Key Findings & Data:In this study, which was designed in a basic qualitative research design, an 8-week longitudinal study was conducted with 2 classroom teachers working in two different provinces of Türkiye and 25 third-grade primary school students.
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Conclusion & Impact:It was observed that group belonging developed, and that in students' language use there was a tendency from “I language” to “we language.” The studuy demonstrates the positive effects of commensality on classroom climate and student behaviors by revealing its potential to develop social capital in educational settings.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Commensality · Sosyal Sermaye · Sosyal Bağlar

Abstract

Most commensality (eating together) studies in the literature have been conducted in the fields of nutrition and health. Studies on its sociological effects on primary school students in educational settings are limited. It is seen that studies in the field of education explained through the social capital theoretical framework are limited. Aiming to fill this gap in the literature, this research examines the effects of commensality practices carried out among primary school students on social ties, group belonging, and personal well-being within the framework of Coleman's social capital theory. In this study, which was designed in a basic qualitative research design, an 8-week longitudinal study was conducted with 2 classroom teachers working in two different provinces of Türkiye and 25 third-grade primary school students. In the commensality activities held twice a week, students shared the food they brought from their homes in the classroom. Data were collected through teacher observation forms, focus group interviews, and semi-structured individual interviews, and were analyzed using the thematic analysis method. The three dimensions of Coleman's social capital theory were supported by commensality practices. With the development of these dimensions, it was observed that social ties strengthened and that shy students showed more active participation. It was observed that group belonging developed, and that in students' language use there was a tendency from “I language” to “we language.” The studuy demonstrates the positive effects of commensality on classroom climate and student behaviors by revealing its potential to develop social capital in educational settings.

Özet

Alanyazındaki commensality (birlikte yemek yeme) çalışmalarının çoğu beslenme ve sağlık alanında yapılmıştır. Eğitim ortamındaki ilkokul öğrencileri üzerindeki sosyolojik etkileri ile ilgili yapılan çalışmalar oldukça sınırlıdır. Eğitim alanında sosyal sermaye kuramsal çerçevesiyle açıklanan çalışmaların sınırlı olduğu görülmektedir. Alanyazındaki söz konusu sınırlılıklardan hareketle bu araştırma; ilkokul öğrencileri arasındaki birlikte yemek yeme (commensality) pratiklerinin sosyal bağlar, grup aidiyeti ve kişisel iyi oluş üzerindeki etkilerini Coleman'ın sosyal sermaye teorisi üzerinden değerlendirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Temel nitel araştırma deseninde tasarlanan bu çalışmada, Türkiye'nin iki farklı ilinde görev yapan 2 sınıf öğretmeni ve toplam 25 ilkokul 3. sınıf öğrencisi (8-9 yaş) ile 8 haftalık uzunlamasına araştırma yürütülmüştür. Haftada iki kez gerçekleştirilen commensality etkinliklerinde öğrenciler evlerinden getirdikleri yemekleri sınıf içinde paylaşmışlardır. Veriler öğretmen gözlem formları, odak grup görüşmeleri ve yarı-yapılandırılmış bireysel görüşmeler aracılığıyla toplanmış, tematik analiz yöntemiyle çözümlenmiştir. Coleman'ın sosyal sermaye teorisinin üç boyutu (yükümlülükler ve beklentiler, bilgi kanalları, normlar ve etkili yaptırımlar) commensality uygulamaları ile desteklenmiştir. Bu boyutların gelişmesiyle sosyal bağların güçlendiği ve çekingen öğrencilerin daha aktif katılım gösterdiği gözlenmiştir. Grup aidiyetinin geliştiği, öğrencilerin dil kullanımında ise “ben dili”nden “biz dili”ne yönelim olduğu gözlenmiştir. Araştırma, eğitim ortamlarında commensality'nin sosyal sermaye geliştirme potansiyelini ortaya koyarak, sınıf iklimi ve öğrenci davranışları üzerindeki olumlu etkilerini göstermektedir.

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Cite This Article

Köksal, H., Sağlam, A. B., Tayfur, Y. C. (2026). The Effects of Eating Together on Social Ties in Primary School Classrooms: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Innovative Research in Social Studies, Cilt: 9 Sayı: 1, 16–35. https://doi.org/10.47503/jirss.1927646

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