Is homework a necessary evil? According to the American Psychological Association, an important part of the debate over homework’s effectiveness is finding the right balance between quantity and quality. The higher the quality of homework, the more engaged students become, and the better they understand and retain what they learn.
However, many students do not find meaning in homework and see it merely as “busywork.” This often causes stress and a lack of motivation to learn. It is generally recommended that students receive about 10 minutes of homework per grade level—for example, 10 minutes for first graders and up to two hours for high school students. Many students, however, are assigned homework that exceeds these guidelines, which can lead to greater stress, sleep deprivation, and less time for family and extracurricular activities. As a result, excessive homework may actually reduce learning and cause students to lose interest in school.
Because excessive homework often just causes stress, teachers should consider students’ level and needs when assigning homework and design meaningful, engaging tasks. In summary, homework should be carefully planned to support learning and help students develop self-directed learning skills. Of course, it is also argued that students from less privileged backgrounds may lack the resources or support needed to complete homework, which can contribute to educational inequality.
In conclusion, homework is not inherently bad, nor is it always necessary. However, when it is carefully assigned in reasonable amounts and of high quality, it can promote learning. Excessive or poorly designed homework can do more harm than good, so it is important for educators to find the right balance.
Junhee Han
- South Korea
- Male
- 11th Grade, Williston Northampton School (Massachusetts, USA)
- Intended Major: International Politics / International Policy
- Role: Editor-in-Chief
- Introduction:
I am passionate about global affairs and diplomacy, always eager to connect diverse perspectives into one cohesive vision. As Editor-in-Chief, I hope to make Lumen Review a truly international platform where youth voices inspire change. My dream is to study international politics and shape policy for a better world.