New study finds homework is a hassle

Many parents in Canada find their children's homework is a hassle, according to a recently released study titled Homework Realities: A Canadian Study of Parental Opinions and Attitudes by Linda Cameron and Lee Bartel of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. Many parents believe that expectations are too high for what the child can accomplish and that the amount of homework is too high. They also believe that too much homework reduces family time and creates stress in family relationships. In addition, many parents seem unsure about whether homework has a positive effect on achievement.

Interestingly, both children and parents start out in the early grades with a positive attitude toward homework. That attitude changes by grade 4. There is a strong positive relationship between parental attitude toward homework and the child's attitude.

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