17 Reasons Why Homework Should Be Banned

For generations, homework has been a staple of student life, but recent discussions are challenging its value.

Do the hours spent on homework truly advance learning, or could they be better used in other ways, discovering new interests or simply getting the rest they need?

Let’s find out as we explore the possibility that maybe, just maybe, the best homework is no homework at all.

Homework Cuts Into Family Moments

When kids come home, they should be able to relax, talk with their parents, and play with their siblings. Instead, they have to sit down and work on more assignments. This takes away from the quality time that families could be spending together, like having dinner or just talking about their day.

Homework not only takes away from the fun times but also from the everyday conversations that bring families closer. These are the times when parents can get to know what’s happening in their child’s life and offer support where it’s needed. Without this, kids and parents might not feel as close to each other.

Homework Drains Students’ Energy

After a full day at school, students are often tired. They spend all day listening to teachers, taking notes, and doing class activities. They need time to rest and do things they enjoy to get their energy back.

Homework Doesn’t Always Lead to Better Grades

Some people think the more homework students do, the better their grades will be. But this isn’t always true. Sometimes, even if students work really hard at home, their grades don’t go up. This can be confusing and frustrating for them.

Here’s the thing: learning depends on understanding, not just on how many hours you spend hitting the books. If you don’t get the concept in class, doing a lot of homework on it might not help much. Also, feeling stressed from too much homework can make it harder to learn and remember things.

Homework Widens the Wealth Gap

Schools could try to make things more equal by providing more resources for homework, like after-school study sessions or access to computers. This way, all students have a better chance to do well, no matter what they have at home.

"Teachers grade children based on homework submission, failing to realize all children do not come from the same living situation. Many children are latch-key children. Some live in shelters or are left without parental supervision in completing their homework. Children come from different environments, and homework should not be a fixed routine in their lives."

— Robbin Alston, Ph.D | School Psychologist | Founder, B.E.T.A One

Homework Clashes With After-School Fun

Being in clubs or playing sports is good for students. But too much homework means less time for these important experiences.

These activities are not just about having fun. They help kids learn new things and find out what they are good at. Plus, everyone, including kids, needs a break after working hard, right? But when homework gets in the way of after-school activities, kids miss out on learning and having fun.

Homework Limits Creativity

Creativity isn’t just about painting or writing stories. It’s about thinking in new ways, whether it’s figuring out a math problem or designing a science project. But too much homework can make every task seem like just another box to tick.

When kids are always following instructions for assignments, they get fewer chances to think outside the box or dream up their own ideas. But with less homework, kids can follow their curiosity, make mistakes, and come up with something unique. 

"Children and teens need their own time and space to develop their own interests and engage with things beyond their structured education. When we fill up all of their time with tasks, it robs them of opportunities to explore new things."

— Naomi Morris | Founder, Our Kiwi Homeschool

Homework Chills the Love of Learning

Learning should be something kids enjoy. It’s about finding out new things and finding out what they like. But if children have too much homework, they might start to see learning as just another job.

We should think about ways to keep learning fun and interesting. Maybe instead of a lot of homework, there could be different kinds of projects that make kids curious and eager to learn. This way, learning stays fun, and kids keep wanting to discover more.

Homework Blurs Life-School Boundaries

Home should be a place where kids can relax, have fun, and spend time with family. But too much homework makes it feel like they’re still in class, even at the dinner table or in their bedrooms. It’s like their backpacks are filled with school time that spills out all over their house.

This mix-up can stress them out because they feel like they’re always in ‘school mode‘ and never really get to switch off, relax, and do normal home things.

"A child's work week is similar to an adult's work week with homework. Think about how many hours children go to school, about 30 hours per week, right? At such a developmental and crucial part of their lives, children should be more focused on learning life skills and exploring new activities with friends and family. With homework, a child can easily amount to schedules that can mirror a working adult life."

— Kevin Nguyen | Founder, Kevin Nguyen Experiences

Homework Steals Sleep

Getting enough sleep is super important for kids. They need it to grow, to be healthy, and to do well in school.

Homework May Require Mom and Dad’s Help

Sometimes, homework is so hard, or there’s so much of it that kids need help from their parents. This isn’t bad – parents love to help! But parents are also busy with work, taking care of the house, and maybe even more school or classes at night. When kids and parents have to spend a lot of time on homework, it can be stressful for everyone.

Remember, there’s nothing wrong with asking for help, but when homework always needs a parent’s help, it might be too much. It’s also important for homework to be something kids can do on their own, so they can learn and feel proud of what they’ve done.

Homework Challenges Health

"According to a survey conducted by Stanford University, 56% of students say that homework is the most significant source of stress. Furthermore, 80% of students exhibited physical symptoms such as tiredness, headaches, weight loss, and sleep deprivation."

— Pauline Delaney | Career Coach, CV Genius

Homework Doesn’t Mirror Real Understanding

Even if children do all their homework, it doesn’t always mean they understand it. Sometimes, they might do the work just because they have to, not because they really get what it’s about.

Teachers can find out if kids really understand what they were taught by letting them talk about it or show what they learned by drawing or building something. This way, teachers can see if kids really get the ideas, not just if they can say them back.

Homework Repeats Without Purpose

Sometimes homework feels like doing the same thing over and over without a good reason. It’s like when you have to write the same word many times to learn it, but you still forget it the next day.

This kind of homework doesn’t help kids learn better. Instead, it makes learning feel boring and pointless.

"The issue is that teachers nowadays use homework as 'busy work.' Busy work is anything used to keep the hands busy. It doesn’t stimulate the brain. It also doesn’t extend the students learning or connect it to real-world experience."

— Aghogho Boccardi | Founder, Hope Like A Mother

Homework Piles Up for Teachers Too

Teachers have a big job already, teaching and looking after kids all day. So, when they also have to handle a mountain of homework, it’s a lot of extra work for them. Teachers and kids both deserve a break, and too much homework can get in the way of that.

Homework Overlooks Different Ways of Learning

Not everyone learns the same way. Some people learn best by seeing, some by listening, and others by doing. But a lot of homework is just reading and writing. This doesn’t fit well with how everyone learns.

Schools could try to understand and use different ways of learning. There could be options like making a video, creating a song, or building a model. This change would let all kids learn in the way that’s best for them, making learning more fun and effective.

Homework Tempts Shortcuts

When there’s a lot of homework to do, kids might feel like they can’t finish it all the right way. This is when they might start thinking about taking shortcuts. These could be things like copying answers or rushing through work without understanding it.

We don’t want kids to think this is okay, but too much homework might push them in that direction. It’s important to find a balance so kids can do their work well and learn what they need to without feeling like they have to cut corners.

Homework Can Knock Down Self-Confidence

Sometimes, if homework is too hard or there’s just too much of it, kids can start to doubt themselves. They might think they’re not good at school or learning. This isn’t what we want. Homework should make kids feel like they’re getting better, not make them feel bad.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, it’s clear that homework has its ups and downs. But if lots of us find it makes learning tougher instead of helping, maybe it’s time for a change.

So, let’s keep this conversation alive because every question, every ‘what if,’ brings us closer to making learning truly wonderful for everyone.