A research was conducted in California in the early 19’s on “The Negative Impact of Homework on Children’s Physical and Mental Health”. This research led to the ban on homework for students under 15.
Today, virtually all children, irrespective of their ages, come home with assignments they’ll spend a minimum of 3 hours on in a week. It is opined that homework is good as it enhances and encourages the better performance of students. Also, it is seen as a yardstick for parents to monitor the academic progress of their children.
Here are the pros and cons of homework simultaneously explained below:
1.
Pro: Homework improve students’ achievements
Several studies carried out have shown that students who are given homework have good grades, improved test results, and perform better than those who are not given homework.
Cons: Too much homework can be harmful
In research carried out in California, 82% of respondents affirmed that they are often stressed out by homework.
Also, an education and parenting expert by the name “Alfie Kohn” suggests that kids should be given a chance to be kids. They are to be free to have quality leisure time, especially when they have spent up to six or seven hours at school. Furthermore, he highlighted that it is absurd to insist that children should work themselves to sleep, even adults too create time to enjoy.
Furthermore, some high – achieving high school students also say that doing homework deprives them of sleep, and this leads to other health challenges e.g., stomach pain, headache, weight loss, and exhaustion.
Again, students at all levels, explained that too much homework leads to cheating as ‘copy and paste’ work is rampant amidst the students.
2.
Pros: Homework helps to reinforce learning and develop good study habits and life skills.
Practice makes perfect. It is believed that students only retain 50% of information from what is discussed in class. They can apply what was taught in class if homework is given to make them practice more.
Also, homework helps students to acquire needed skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, discipline, time management, accountability, which can be applied throughout their lives.
Cons: Homework is a disadvantage to low-income students.
Students from low–income families, especially in the US, do not have access to resources (internet, computer, helping hands from parents and professional services such as Assignment Geek) needed to complete the homework. Time could also be a challenge as most of them may have to work in the evenings and also take care of their siblings.
3.
Pros: Homework encourages the involvement of parents in their children’s learning.
Homework helps parents to be carried along in their children’s learning. They can also track the academic progress of the children and know their strengths and weaknesses.
Cons: Limited evidence that homework is helpful for younger children
There is no solid ground on which evidence can be based that homework helps younger children. A study was conducted and reported that in elementary school, there is no relationship between homework and achievement gains.