Sawako

     Could you attach the link regarding to the news about it?
      I can't say anything about it due to unclear information you gave. It's not clear the background of the parents, perhaps they're not native Japanese or had been overseas for a long time, or maybe they're just being a "modern (extreme maybe)" parents.
      People is like a pendulum, an individual could be against what some society believe.
      I'm an Indonesian, I personally will say "Mari makan" which means asking everybody who are with me around the table to eat or at least excuse me for having my meal. It's not a must but it's nice as a courtesy to others.

What itadakimasu means? Is it name of god or something?

Sawako

    ありがとうございます for the link you provided. Unfortunately, I'm still an absolute beginner so the website is all greek to me (it's Japanese, factually)
     In my humble opinion, since the origin of "itadakimasu" is a kind of saying "grace" for the food provided, I don't see it as a harmful manner.
      I just read a blog written by a Japanese http://www.iromegane.com/japan/culture/why-japanese-say-itadakimasu-together-before-they-eat/. I found the comments are very supportive about this kind of habit. The comments are all written by non Japanese. 
        In a word, there will be people who would against the social norm that has been taken places for years. And, it could happen in any society. Just hope that it won't infiltrate the mainstream.