Homework has been a staple of education for decades, often seen as essential for academic success. Supporters argue that it reinforces learning and builds life skills. However, these benefits are outweighed by the significant harm homework causes to students. From increasing stress levels to limiting personal growth and deepening economic inequalities, homework does more harm than good. By eliminating homework entirely, schools can create a healthier, more fair, and more effective learning environment for students.
Although schools have assigned homework for decades, they should get rid of it entirely to truly improve education. First, homework leads to high stress levels and poor health in students. Research shows that excessive homework is associated with high stress levels. A study by Denise Pope from Stanford University found that 56% of students surveyed identified homework as a primary stressor in their lives. Pope’s findings highlight how students overwhelmed by assignments often suffer from sleep deprivation, anxiety, and even physical conditions like headaches and fatigue (Parker). These health issues undermine their ability to learn and grow effectively. Instead of promoting learning, homework becomes harmful, leaving students physically and emotionally drained. In turn, eliminating homework would help create a healthier balance in students’ lives and allow them to focus more effectively during school hours. Second, homework prevents students from engaging in other beneficial and character-building activities. A Stanford University study by Denise Pope found that students overwhelmed by homework often miss out on extracurricular activities, spend less time with family and friends, and neglect hobbies they enjoy (Parker). These experiences foster teamwork, creativity, and emotional well-being, which are equally as important as academic achievement. By prioritizing homework over opportunities outside of school, students risk stunting personal growth and reducing their overall quality of life. Third, homework reveals economic inequalities within students’ households. According to research, differences in students’ home lives and the level of support they receive from families play a significant role in whether they can complete homework, which highlights its unfairness (Engle). These disparities create an unfair playing field, where students from more privileged households have an advantage. This unfairness highlights how homework unintentionally widens achievement gaps, punishing students for situations beyond their control. Eliminating homework would make the education system more equal and ensure all students have a fair chance to succeed. All together homework causes stress, stunts personal growth, and highlights inequalities in students' households, doing more harm than good. Ultimately, schools should eliminate homework to truly improve education and create a healthier and more enriched environment.
While many people claim that homework should be eliminated from schools, there are people who feel that it is beneficial. One reason people think homework is beneficial is because it helps reinforce learning and improve academic performance. However, homework is truly unnecessary to improve the understanding of topics. Stanford researcher, Pope, described homework as busy work that discourages learning and in-reality promotes completing homework simply to earn points (Parker). This demonstrates that homework does not enhance understanding but instead fosters a culture of completing tasks rather than meaningful learning, shifting the focus from true engagement to simply earning grades and limiting deep understanding. Another reason opponents think homework is beneficial is because it teaches students valuable life skills. However, homework distracts students from more important developmental opportunities. Stanford research found that excessive homework actually prevents students from meeting essential developmental needs and developing important life skills (Parker). This shows that homework hinders students’ growth by taking time away from activities that build critical social, emotional, and practical skills, potentially preventing them from building well-rounded life abilities that are just as important as academic success. While there are a few somewhat valid reasons why some people argue that homework is beneficial, there is overwhelming evidence that supports the elimination of homework in schools to improve educational outcomes.
Sources:
- Engle, Jeremy, and Michael Gonchar. “Should We Get Rid of Homework?” The New York Times, 26 Oct. 2022, www.nytimes.com/2022/10/26/learning/should-we-get-rid-of-homework.html.
- Parker, Clifton B. “Stanford Research Shows Pitfalls of Homework.” Stanford Report, 10 Mar. 2014, news.stanford.edu/stories/2014/03/too-much-homework-031014.
- “Why Homework is Bad for Students.” GeekExtreme, www.geekextreme.com/why-homework-is-bad-for-students/. Image used in article.
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