Impact of Too Much Homework on the Health of Kids
Some research has shown that a higher amount of homework recommended for students may cause stress and other adverse health effects. These researchers found a link between the significant level of stress experienced by both the students and their parents when pushed to handle a workload that is not in sync with their development level.
The National Education Association (NEA) supports the standard 10minutes homework per grade level, setting the general limit on the time spent doing homework.
Experts have also agreed that too much homework for younger kids does not improve their grades or GPA, but there is evidence to show that it can be detrimental to their self-confidence, attitude in school, social skills, and overall health.
In a 2015 survey of more than 1,100 parents with school-age children in Rhode Island, the study found that first and second graders receive about three times the recommended homework time. An average of 28 minutes and 29 minutes, respectively, while kindergartens receive 25minute of homework per night when they shouldn’t receive any at all.
Stephanie Donaldson-Pressman, who contributed as an editor of the study, told CNN that she found it shocking that kindergartens had that much homework. Also, she emphasized that the extra workload will result in family stress, especially for parents with limited education who aren’t confident in communicating with the school about their child’s schoolwork.
The research disclosed that parents who do not have college degrees are more likely to report a 200% increase in family fights about homework. In contrast, some parents have decided not to participate in the whole thing and instructed their children not to do their homework.
Homework for High School Students
Other studies have shown high school students may also be taking a beating -with the amount of homework they do.
Research conducted in 2013 at Stanford University found that high achieving students who spend more time doing homework experience alienation from society, physical and mental stress, and a lack of balance in their lives.
Spending too much time on homework often results in those students forgoing activities, leave hobbies unattended, and stop seeing friends and family.
The pressure to work like adults
A New York University study published in 2015 noted how students of elite private schools are under pressure to balance schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and college applications. The study reported alcohol and drug abuse, emotional exhaustion, and other serious health issues in the high schoolers.
In an interview with about 128 juniors from two private schools, half of the students admitted to facing pressure to take college-level classes while also receiving 3 hours of homework.
More than two-thirds of the students also reported alcohol, and drug abuse, mostly marijuana, to cope with stress.
The quality of homework matters more
Experts either for or against giving homework agree that the task’s quality matters more than the quantity.
Many students in the Stanford study often said they did homework that was “pointless.”
It is also vital for schools to stick to the 10-minute per grade standard, as students can still learn challenging skills even with less homework as they buy assignments online. Relieving stress helps improve the overall academic performance and students’ wellbeing.