I think for families where the members have really different hobbies and interests or jobs, meal time can provide a common ground. My family ate dinner together, in assigned spots and all the conventions. But that was because I was in my room, brother was in his room, dad was doing something outside and Mom wanted to cook for us. So, that brought us together and we talked. After dinner, we went off our separate ways.
Now with my own husband and son, food doesn't bring us together. We are always doing other things together and we don't have schedules that would make family dinners practical. We spend our free time playing video games, doing homework, going to coffee.
We also like very different foods and it would be too hard to prepare for us at the same time.
Also, back with my folks, some of us had eating disorders and meals were very stressful. My dad overeats, my mom "diets" and 'tries new things" and I had serious eating problems (with smells, textures, tastes). So, it could be a whole power struggle to eat what mom made.