Schools are supposed to be places of learning and growth, where students are given the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in life. However, one aspect of the school system that has been questioned recently is giving out homework. There are several reasons why schools should rethink the way they assign and manage homework, and why it can positively impact students and their learning if there is less of it.

First, homework can be incredibly stressful for students. According to Stanford.edu:“56 percent of the students considered homework a primary source of stress, according to the survey data. Forty-three percent viewed tests as a primary stressor, while 33 percent put the pressure to get good grades in that category. Less than 1 percent of the students said homework was not a stressor.”

This shows how homework has significantly increased the amount of stress in students which can affect multiple aspects of their lives.

Second, homework is shown to cause reductions in health. According to Stanford.edu; “many students said their homework load led to sleep deprivation and other health problems. The researchers asked students whether they experienced health issues such as headaches, exhaustion, sleep deprivation, weight loss and stomach problems.”

This suggests that homework has disrupted crucial things to student development and recovery such as sleep, and also caused headaches, weight loss and stomach problems.

Third, homework can limit the time students would normally spend with family, friends, or doing extracurricular activities.

“Both the survey data and student responses indicate that spending too much time on homework meant that students were “not meeting their developmental needs or cultivating other critical life skills,” according to the Stanford researchers. Students were more likely to “drop activities, not see friends or family, and not pursue hobbies they enjoy.”

Not only this, but Stanford also stated too much homework can take away from their ability to develop personal responsibility abilities. They claimed that because young people were spending more time alone, they had less time for their families and fewer possibilities to get involved in their communities.

In light of these concerns, by reducing the amount of homework that is assigned, schools can help to alleviate some of the stress and pressure that students face, and also create a more equitable and effective learning environment.