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Loren Brown
Ms. David
HELA 10 block 4
16 February 2016
No More Leisure Time
More and more students are stressed out with school, and all the pressures of
homework. A survey by the American Psychological Association, found that almost half
of all teens said they were stressed by homework. Should there be a limit on how much
homework students receive? There have been many studies that are now proving
homework doesnt have as much value, especially when its given in extensive amounts.
Homework is taking away the only free time students have while not having much value
to begin. There are negative aspects of homework that are affecting students. Abundant
amounts of homework are causing a lot of unneeded stress in students.
Homework is affecting students in numerous ways, but one of the biggest and
most concerning is the stress that comes along with it. The load of homework children
bring home everyday can be very overwhelming. A study from The University of
Michigan found that the amount of homework has increased 51% since 1981(Van
Thompson). Just like everything that is learned in life, it takes practice. Repetition brings
strength, and that is what homework is. Most teachers do use homework for extra practice
of the material learned in class, but homework doesnt always improve the students
academic performance. Students who struggle with homework or who get large amount
of homework every night can experience negative effects. According to another study that
was done, homework can increase family stress. Some parents may spend an
unreasonable amount of time fighting with their children over homework; implementing

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strict homework rules and forcing them to work until they master skills necessary to
succeed. The study found that stress, frustration and conflicts over homework are
particularly evident in families with a child who is struggling academically, but that does
not mean it doesnt happen in other families too. As a result of all the stress homework
causes and the time it takes, what is not getting done?
Along with causing some students stress, homework interferes with valuable time.
Chores, exercise, sleep, social time, and family time all hit a low as academic
performance becomes the only priority. Homework has reduced kids desire to learn when
its too stressful. This is proven by the fact that most elementary school kids love to go to
school and look forward to learning more, whereas most middle school and high school
kids dont look forward to school and dread doing hours of homework. Chores are an
important part of learning responsibility during childhood. If students already have a load
of homework to do theres no time to fit in chores. Sleep is also very important for a
students health and for their success in school. When teenagers get overwhelmed with
homework, sleep is one of the first things sacrificed. Studies show that only 20 percent of
adolescents between the ages of 11 and 17 get the recommended amount of sleep (Wendy
Ponte). On school nights, almost half of them sleep less than eight hours. In addition,
Students who have a large amount of homework have less time to spend with their friends
and family. In the textbook titled Childs Psychology, it says that regular social
interaction is very important for the brain development and social development of a child.
Children build many skills during this time. When homework takes away this time a
childs development could suffer.
The stress that homework can bring can cause a lot of deeper issues for students.
A study conducted by Stanford Graduate School of Education surveyed more than

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4,300 students from ten high-performing public and private high schools in affluent
California communities and found that excessive homework causes high stress levels and
physical health problems (Reporter). A clear connection was found between the students'
stress and physical impacts. Some of the impacts were migraines, ulcers and other
stomach problems, sleep deprivation, exhaustion, and weight loss (Pope). A group of
Australian researchers did a study that found the average scores of students academic
performances versus the amount of homework done at the end of the school day. The
study clearly showed that the more time that was being spent on homework, the lower the
scores the students received. This study proved that assigning too much homework can
cause lower grades and even lead some students into depression. When students are
overwhelmed with too much homework, their life balance is thrown way out of
proportion. When the students lives are thrown off, their emotions can spin out of control
and cause unpleasant behaviors. Students will make poor decisions just out of pure
exhaustion and hopelessness.

Large amounts of homework are causing a lot of stress for students that lead to
other negative issues. Homework doesnt always put stress solely on the child, but can
put stress on the family, too. Constant need for help can stress out a parent. Homework in
excessive amounts is also not always effective. Homework takes away valuable time
thats important in students lives. Important things such as sleep, chores, exercise, and
family time can be interrupted when theres too much pressure in getting all the
homework done for the next day. Social interaction is very important for the development

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of a child and without the skills these interactions build, the child could suffer. Too much
homework is becoming a bigger problem in the education system and has several
negative effects on students and their physical and mental wellness.

Works Cited
Graham, Susan. "Student Performance Suffers When Homework Is Optional." Ed. Judeen
Bartos. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. At Issue. Rpt. from "The 100-Year Homework
War." Education Week 3 Nov. 2010. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 15 Feb. 2016.

Kalish, Nancy. "Parents Should Do Students Have Too Much Homework? Take Action Against
Excessive Homework." Do Students Have Too Much Homework? Ed. Judeen Bartos.
Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. At Issue. Rpt. from "The Less-Homework Revolution."
Parenting (1 July 2008). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 15 Feb. 2016.

Mangione, Lisa. "Homework Has Value When It Reinforces Learning." Do Students Have Too
Much Homework? Ed. Judeen Bartos. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. At Issue. Rpt.
from "Is Homework Working?" Phi Delta Kappan 89.8 (Apr. 2008): 614-615. Opposing
Viewpoints in Context. Web. 15 Feb. 2016.

Ponte, Wendy J. "Excessive Homework Strains Family Life." Do Students Have Too Much
Homework? Ed. Judeen Bartos. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. At Issue. Rpt. from
"No More Homework." Mothering 149 (2008): 58-66. Opposing Viewpoints in Context.
Web. 15 Feb. 2016.

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Van Thompson, Demand Media. What Negative Effects Does Homework Have on a Students
Social & Family Life?2016. everydaylife.globalpost.com. 15 February 2016.