Abstract
General Purpose: To persuade the audience that homework should be banned.
Specific Purpose: To convince the audience that homework is detrimental to students’ physical and mental health and negatively affects their learning and academic performance.
Central Idea: Homework should be banned because it negatively impacts students’ physical and mental health, leads to decreased academic performance, and interferes with other activities that are important for a child’s development.
Introduction
Imagine coming home from a long day of school only to spend several more hours completing homework assignments. For many students, this is a reality they face every day. Today, I want to talk to you about why homework should be banned. As a student myself, I have experienced the stress and pressure that homework can place on students. I am sure that many of you in the audience have either experienced this firsthand or have seen the effects of homework on your children or friends.
In the following speech, I will discuss three reasons why homework should be banned: it negatively impacts students’ physical and mental health, leads to decreased academic performance, and interferes with other activities that are important for a child’s development.
Body
Homework is detrimental to students’ physical and mental health
Homework leads to physical health problems
According to research by Dolean & Lervag, students who spend more than two hours a night on homework are at risk of developing health problems, such as back pain, headaches, and sleep deprivation (2021). These health issues can be caused by the long periods of sitting required to complete homework assignments, as well as the mental strain of staying focused for extended periods of time.
This can affect a student’s ability to focus and participate in class, leading to decreased academic performance (Dolean & Lervag, 2021). In addition, chronic physical health problems can negatively impact a student’s mental health, further compounding the negative effects of excessive homework.
Homework can lead to mental health problems
Homework can cause students to experience stress and anxiety, leading to decreased mental health. This stress can have long-lasting effects on a student’s well-being and can negatively impact their motivation and engagement in school.
In extreme cases, excessive homework can lead to depression and even suicidal thoughts. For some students, the stress of homework can lead to the development of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, which can have a profound impact on their academic performance and overall quality of life.
With these health risks in mind, it is clear that homework should be banned.
Homework leads to decreased academic performance
Homework does not improve academic performance
A study of Xu found that there is no correlation between homework and improved academic performance for students in elementary school (2019). For students in middle and high school, the correlation between homework and academic performance is weak at best.
Homework takes away from other essential learning opportunities
When students spend hours on homework, they have less time to engage in extracurricular activities, sports, and hobbies (Xu, 2019). These activities are crucial for a child’s development and can provide valuable learning opportunities that cannot be found in the classroom.
With the lack of correlation between homework and academic performance, it is clear that homework is not a necessary component of learning.
Homework interferes with other activities that are important for a child’s development
Homework takes away from family time
When students are bogged down with homework, they have less time to spend with their families (Sayan & Mertoğlu, 2020). This can lead to strained relationships and can negatively impact a child’s development.
Homework takes away from important rest and relaxation time
Children need time to rest and recharge after a long day of school (Sayan & Mertoğlu, 2020). When students spend hours on homework, they have less time to relax and can become burnt out and overwhelmed. With the negative effects of homework on a child’s development, it is clear that homework should be banned.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is clear that homework is detrimental to students’ physical and mental health, leads to decreased academic performance and interferes with other activities that are important for a child’s development.
Today, we have discussed three reasons why homework should be banned. First, homework is detrimental to students’ physical and mental health. Second, homework leads to decreased academic performance. Finally, homework interferes with other activities that are important for a child’s development.
It is time to rethink the role of homework in education. By banning homework, we can improve students’ physical and mental health, allow for more meaningful learning opportunities, and promote a healthier work-life balance. Let’s prioritize the well-being and success of our students and ban homework once and for all.
References
Dolean, D. D., & Lervag, A. (2021). Variations in homework amount assigned in elementary school can impact academic achievement. The Journal of Experimental Education, 90(2), 280–296. Web.
Sayan, H., & Mertoğlu, H. (2020). Investigation of the opinions of science teachers about homework. Journal of Education and Learning, 9(2), 232. Web.
Xu, J. (2019). Homework and academic achievement. Visible Learning Guide to Student Achievement, 121–125. Web.