Homework+Essay

Of all the great many subjects of conflict that have arose in the U.S., one of the most popular, and perhaps one of the most controversial, is homework. It is clear that homework has added a good layer of stress to students’ lives. While some people feel that this stress is too great and that it will only bring harm to students, others believe that the only way to be successful is to work excessively for it. I have my own views toward homework as well.

According to experts, parents, and students alike, homework is time consuming, and it therefore prevents kids from enjoying their childhoods. This can have, and even has had negative effects on the students. For example, after hours of struggling to complete a difficult assignment, an elementary student may lose their enjoyment of, and their desire to attend school, something which they by default were glad to do. Another problem caused by this is that homework and school work begin to dominate kids’ lives, and they therefore have very little time to relax and enjoy themselves. As stated by teacher Jessica Lahey, “Children need time to be quiet, play, read, and imagine.” She also states that, by assigning busy work, teachers are being “derelict in their duty to their students”.

Another commonly recognized problem is that there is little certainty that an excess of homework raises academic achievement. Despite this, increased levels of homework have long been a common response to international competition. “In the 1950s, the Sputnik launching ushered in heavier workloads for American students in the race to keep up with the Soviet Union.” One reason that homework may not be improving school performance is that it is often repetitive, useless buy work. “How many times do you have to add seven plus two?’ Ms. Cushlanis, 46, said. ‘I have no problem with doing homework but that put us both over the edge.

Just as there are negative effects imposed by homework, there are as well positive effects which experts, students, and parents all agree on. One of these is that, by doing homework, especially in controlled portions, students may practice and better prepare for in-class assignments, tests, etc. Homework is also a good way for students and teachers to identify, and therefore be able to improve upon, weak points. “Research has long suggested that homework in small doses can reinforce basic skills and help young children develop study habits”.

In addition to this, however, homework can have other positive effects on students. For example, it can help students to develop study habits which may benefit them for the rest of their school careers. Also it can help them to improve necessary areas which they otherwise may not. “Most of our kids can’t spell without spell check or add unless it comes up on the computer. If we coddle them when they’re younger, what happens when they get into the real world?” In addition to preparing students for the “real world”, homework can also benefit parents. “In Corando, Calif., the school board rejected a proposal by the superintendent to eliminate homework on weekends and holidays after some parents said that was when they had time to help their children. Homework is also a good way to keep parents on top of what their children are learning.

In my personal opinion, the usefulness and morality of homework varies with the amount of homework provided, as well as with how difficult that homework is. For example, a total of about 30 minutes worth of moderately challenging homework may help students to conquer academic obstacles and practice for tests. However, too much homework may result in wearing students down, lowering their confidence and will to learn. I’ve always found that excessive homework does very little more than keep me from enjoying my night. I do agree that certain homework, such as study guides, help students to prepare for tests and exams, and better understand the content. On the other hand, I have also found that some homework, especially time consuming work or busy work, is virtually useless to me after I complete it, serving only as a waste of my time and energy. This kind of homework also often leads me to rush through and/or put less effort into more important homework.

Clearly, there are a great many mixed views toward the necessity of homework. Some people argue that it only stresses students out and wastes their time. Other people are of the opinion that homework allows students to practice and be more successful. I personally believe that, in proper doses, homework can be a useful tool, although it is merely an obstacle when overused. Ultimately, I believe that this debate will continue for quite some time.