While weekends are intended for rest and extracurricular activities, the load of weekend homework received by students across the country prevents students from disconnecting from their studies. Oftentimes, homework is assigned to students on Fridays, and will be due the next Monday. Some people argue that weekend homework is beneficial for students because it keeps them engaged in the material while they’re on a break. However, after five long days of school, with only two days off, it is very important for students to be able to rest and relax before the next week of school, rather than being bombarded with homework.
Freshman Amira Baterdene explained why she believes weekend homework shouldn’t be allowed. Baterdene stated,“weekend homework makes it so students cannot live their own lives, and restricts their social life which is very important.” An article from The Journal Rewired supports Baterdene’s point. The article says, “having a heavy workload on weekends or on breaks will take time away from friends and family. Having time with your friends and family is a crucial aspect in a childhood.” Being able to spend time with your family and friends is incredibly important for children because they’re not going to be living with their parents or near their friends forever. It’s important that they have as much time as possible over the weekend to do that.
In addition to weekend homework taking away time from students to spend with their friends and family, it also takes time away from the sports and extracurriculars that students have committed to over the weekend. Senior Finely Cattell said, “I think that if teachers are assigning something on Thursday or Friday that is due on Monday, that they should provide more time for students to work on it besides the weekend because lots of students have extracurriculars and sports that should be prioritized over the weekend.” She added, “it is not fair for teachers to swamp students with homework when school and school work should primarily be during the week.”
According to the Acalanes School District, Campo generally discourages a heavy weekend homework load to provide balance within students’ lives. However, students have reported that they do receive large amounts of weekend homework that take away from their weekend activities. Freshman Emily Zolbayer said, “students already have a lot to do during the week like homework and sports and the weekend is their break from all of that so they should be able to relax without having to worry about homework.” Overall, weekend homework should not be allowed because it disables students from being able to live their own lives during the weekend, it reduces vital rest time, and it takes away opportunities for friends, family, and extracurricular activities.
