Should Homework be Banned?

Anyone who has ever attended school has dealt with the struggle of homework. Though some find it beneficial, most find homework appalling and stressful. Many students across the U.S. see the importance in other things that give life value over the importance we are quote on quote supposed to have for homework. Though homework may seem helpful, it actually has the complete opposite effect. It can lead to stress and mental illnesses and it takes up all and any free time. Both of which are more important than spending hours working on the same things we can learn and do in class.

Some people believe that students should have homework. First, homework builds independence. According to college-homework-help.org, “doing your homework teaches you how to study and work independently” (Why is Homework important to C.P.T.). Which can be true but there are many other ways students can be taught independence. Such as adding more life classes to schools. Furthermore, homework can be used as a tool and to be taught discipline. According to college-homework-help.org, “it's an invaluable preparatory tool that teaches improved organization and discipline and makes children understand all subjects through their detailed and increased exposure to them” (Why is Homework important to C.P.T.). For some students homework can for sure do this for them, teach organization and build understanding through a surplus of knowledge. Few though, for most this can cause a cluttered brain. There's many other ways to practice organization and build knowledge. Also, a lot of students need a slower explanation to understand assignments and what they're learning, not just jamming it in their heads and hoping they understand. Although homework can be beneficial in ways, studies show it is more beneficial without it.

More than half of students can say homework negatively affects them and have a reason to back that up. To begin, homework is behind a lot of students' mental health issues and stress. Stephanie Donaldson-pressman did a study in 2015 for The American Journal of Family Therapy. Donaldson-pressman states, “The data shows that homework over this level is not only not beneficial to children's grades or gpa, but there's really a plethora of evidence that its detrimental to their attitude about school, their grades, their self confidence, their social skills and their quality of life”(Levy). Stating, Homework over the recommended 10 minutes of homework per grade is harmful to grades and mental / physical health. Kids get insecure about their grades as well as wanting to just give up and throw it all the way, that feeling is an all-time low when it comes to school. Secondly, only a small percent of students can say homework doesn't bother them according to healthline.com, “56% of the students considered homework a primary source of stress, according to the survey data. 43% viewed tests as a primary stressor, while 33% put the pressure to get good grades in that category. Less than 1% of the students said homework was not a stressor.” (Parker). On average we have at least three hours of homework a night and that's without having a bunch of missing assignments. For a senior, at most we're supposed to be having 120 minutes /  two hours a night. We're getting more than that as freshmen. Imagine you have a job right after school, got home at 10/11pm then had three to four hours of homework to do before waking up at 6 a.m. It’s like you can't breathe. Lastly, nbc.sandiego.com says “Study says homework stress topped bullying, parental expectations and self-esteem.”(Radin),  meaning the stress of homework and grades is so great some students would rather get bullied than have to deal with homework. Kids/teens would be healthier mentally and physically without the stress of excessive amounts of homework.

Numerous students juggle work, school, and maybe a sport as well. Alone having an after-school job makes it almost impossible to get work done. Not only that but free time is needed! For example, a breather break weather is riding bikes or laying down to watch a movie is totally okay and can actually help your mental health. Spending time outside would be best. According to an article, Kids who Spend More Time Outside are Happier Adults, “Sending kids outside to play isn't just a good way to get them out of the house, it's also beneficial for their mental health. And as a new study from Aarhus university in denmark shows, children who spend more time in nature may be less likely to develop various psychiatric disorders as adults.'' (Macatee). Nature is all natural serotonin, vitamin D and the breeze can make almost anyone happy. With busy schedules as a teen it's hard to get any of that. All time is spent working, school work or sleeping. Also not having the time for yourself can cause mental issues. As stated in an article on Care.com, Dr. Hampreet states, “Lack of play or rest can lead to stress, anxiety and depression”. (Gerson). When people don't get time to express themselves and things they like to do they go down a dark path. With depression and mental illnesses being high in adolescence as it is, being smothered with workloads can make it a hundred times worse. Lastly, sports can help with self identification and school involvement. Verywellfamily.com states, “youth sports participation is linked to a greater sense of belonging in the school and community and closer social ties among students as well as their parents” (Linell-Olsen). Every student that plays a sport is very busy juggling school and maybe work. It does help with expressing oneself and being outdoors but not having homework would ease their stress of juggling all of that plus give them time to figure out what else they like. Everyone deserves a chance to express themselves and figure new things out about themselves. 

In conclusion, I believe homework and the idea of homework is a huge waste of time. There are some beneficial factors, but mostly negative effects. A couple reasons being, homework causes stress and mental illnesses, and takes up any free time students have left after a busy day. Students all around would be benefitting if homework was banned, as of right now it's one of the leading causes to low grades and gpa. Overall, the quality of life for all students would be much greater without homework.