Homework has been a long-accepted standard for the education system, but it may have more of a harmful impact than a beneficial on teenagers. As they go through middle school and high school, the amount of homework they get keeps going up. The stress and sleep deprivation of a large homework load can have dangerous effects on a student’s social, mental, and even physical well being. While homework has has good intentions, we should at least acknowledge some of the negative sides. Below, we’ve listed the top reasons that homework is bad for teens.
Homework Increases Stress
Many high school students juggle multiple classes, after school activities, sports, and hobbies. Adding more assignments after their school day can create burdensome time constraints, reducing their motivation overall. Additionally, countless studies have shown that increased stress levels contribute to lifelong health concerns, such as a weakened immune system. This is because the elevated cortisol from stress can reduce the activity of lymphocytes and other sickness-fighters in our bloodstream.
Homework Can Cause Sleep Deprivation
Many students have early start times, leading the students to wake up at six in the morning or earlier. When you consider after school activities, sometimes the only time left for many students to complete their assignments is at night. This means that high school students often stay up late working when their bodies need to be sleeping. Teens need 8 to 10 hours of sleep per night, and too many assignments can shorten the realistic amount a student can get. Either through pulling all nighters to finish an important essay, or even living in a state of chronic sleep deprivation, homework is bad for the mind and body of many students.
Homework Promotes Cheating
When students have to rush to catch up with their assignments, they don’t have as much time to study independently for big exams. Homework is different from tests because you do it without the supervision of a teacher and there isn’t much stopping students from copying off of their friends or getting the answers from the internet. This is especially true for subjects like math, where there is a clear right or wrong answer. That being said, students rarely get caught for cheating on their homework. Getting away with this form of cheating teaches the middle schoolers and high schoolers a dangerous lesson. The higher the workload that the student has, the temptation to cheat on homework increases. Due to this, many students don’t benefit from the homework they complete, and they’re left struggling through exams that they’d otherwise be able to ace.
Increases Risk of Burnout
Homework increases the risk that students are struggling to complete their coursework, impacting their self esteem and motivation. This constant chasing after grades can lead to a cycle of constant pressure and stress with little time for recovery. Eventually, students may disengage from school altogether, believing they’re not smart enough or that it’s not worth missing out on time with friends and family when there’s seemingly no reward. Instead of helping them succeed, excessive homework can lead students to a breaking point.
Limits Well-Rounded Development
When students are constantly jumping from school, to work, to homework, there’s never enough time to hang out with their friends or spend time with their families. This prevents students from flourishing in other aspects of their life, such as social and artistic development. To build a sound body and mind, students need to develop socially and discover what they’re truly passionate about (which may not be a subject, it may be through a hobby!).
Homework is Kinda Pointless
Let’s face it, most jobs don’t require homework. Most adults go to work for 8 hours, clock out, and that’s it. Any free time you have after work can be spent with family, crafting, or exercising and focusing on health. Students go to school for 7 hours, and somehow are expected to do hours more work once they get home. Since this isn’t expected within our job market, why are we training students to devote so much of their time to busywork? To me, it just seems like homework is a bad idea.
Homework Encourages Surface Learning
When students rush their way through assignments, they often learn just enough to complete the material in front of them. This doesn’t help them deeply understand the subject material. Different students will learn the best with a variety of studying methods. They should have the time and space to develop that on their own instead of being overloaded with busywork that might not suit their learning style. While some students may still choose not to study either way, the increased importance of exams, essays, and other long-term projects on their final grades will eventually be a motivator!
Unfair Negative Impacts of Homework
Some students go home straight after school, while others may work a job to help support their families. Without knowing each students’ background and responsibilities, homework adds an extra unfair burden on the students who need help the most. Some students are also less likely to have access to a quiet space, or parents to help them complete this work. Inequality in regards to academic workload is rarely talked about, but very present in the school system.
Conclusion
Overall, homework can be bad for students, especially teens. The potential impact on their mental, social, and physical well being outweighs any benefit that homework could have. Additionally, this often impacting students who are already the most disadvantaged. Let’s be honest, teachers don’t like grading homework either! Can you think of any other reasons that homework is bad for teens? If so, let us know!