Homework. The bane of every 3rd to 12th graders' existence. When you go home, this is the thing you dread doing the most. Teachers always say that homework helps and that it is one of the most important parts of school. Now, our homework is worth as much as our tests and the question rises. Is homework good, or bad?

First, we will address the more prominent side, which is that homework is unnecessary and unneeded. A good portion of people feel passionate about the fact that homework is unneeded. That population of parents and kids feel like the pin kids could have extra time to do other things if there was no homework. A study by the Society for Research in Child Development said: “In Study 1 (2,712 students in grades 5, 7, and 9; mean age=13.37 years), lower homework effort was found in higher of grades.” Homework in younger grades has been proven not as effective as expected. As kids, the subjects are so easy (compared to higher grades) that the extra practice that homework offers is unneeded. There is simply no need to practice subjects that we can practice in class and master. Also, homework is shown to cause stress for students in higher grades, as there is a lot more. : “According to a study by Stanford University, 56 per cent of students considered homework a primary source of stress. Too much homework can result in lack of sleep, headaches, exhaustion and weight loss. Excessive homework can also result in poor eating habits, with families choosing fast food as a faster alternative.” Too much homework, which a lot of “good” high schools and colleges give, is causing extreme physical and mental problems like stress or exhaustion. This is why homework is detrimental to our aspiring lawyers, doctors, teachers, or engineers.

Now we will address the less popular side. That homework is beneficial. This side thinks that homework is needed for the success of students and future generations. This side thinks that homework helps kids learn, because they are able to practice the content that they are learning in their class. This side is mainly parents and grandparents because they want their kids or grandkids to succeed. A study by Duke University says “In 35 such studies, about 77 percent find the link between homework and achievement is positive.” Homework has been shown to have positive impacts on children in schools. The older grades get more homework, and this homework helps them succeed. Homework also teaches kids to be more responsible and learn how to manage time. The studies on this are long and boring, but the gist is that homework teaches kids how to balance play and work, something that will come in handy in college. More research has shown that homework cause stress and ruins a child's time as they cannot live out their life as a kid.

Think about this. Which side will you take?