Homework as the Job of Childhood

Bibliographic Data

ID4761600
AuthorsLyn Corno, Jianzhong Xu (0000-0001-6885-7412)
Year2004
Volume43
Issue3
Pages227-233
Publication date2004-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueTheory Into Practice (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0040-5841 • E-ISSN: 1527-2532
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1207/s15430421tip4303_9
OpenAlexW2025402482
LanguageEN
Citations received35
References cited5

The authors undertook a series of empirical studies to examine how students experience homework at various grade levels. The research casts a different light on the century-old practice of doing homework, suggesting it is the quintessential job of childhood. Homework creates a situation where the child must complete assigned tasks under minimal supervision and after little initial training. Doing well on that job gets one further along in school. As in the workplace, when children move from beginners to experts with homework, they demonstrate responsibility and become skilled at managing tasks. These positive outcomes enhance the intended deepening of students' subject matter knowledge. However, the authors assert that another virtue of homework is that it can prepare children for jobs they will have one day; it may develop an aptitude for gainful employment

Aptitude · Developmental psychology · Empirical research · Gainful employment · Job design · Job performance · Job satisfaction · Mathematics education · Pedagogy · Virtue · Applied Psychology · Collaborative Teaching and Inclusion · Diverse Education Studies and Reforms · Parental Involvement in Education · Psychology · Social Psychology