The Homework Revolt?

I just read this article in the NY Times about the debate over homework:  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/16/education/16homework.html?_r=1&hp  It's very thought provoking.   Many parents feel that homework interferes with family time and much needed down time (and how exactly could it not?).  They feel that there should be limits imposed, perhaps banning homework or creating homework time limits, perhaps depending on the child's age or whether the homework is being imposed on weeknights, weekends, or school holidays.  They point out that no studies have shown any direct relationship between more homework and higher achievement.  No one needs to prove that time spent doing homework would otherwise be spent doing something else with the potential to be meaningful.  

They mention the argument that there simply is not enough time in the day to cover all the required topics, so much of the homework kids are getting is on subjects the teachers don't have time to teach during the day. Some parents don't want homework banned over holidays and weekends because that's the only time they have to help them do it.  In other words, my kid's whole weekday revolves around school, and they don't have time to teach him what he needs to learn, so I have to teach him myself?  (Okay! Let's just eliminate the middleman, shall we?)    

Naturally, the zinger quote is at the very end of the article, from William Parker, a cynical adult who thinks the debate on the value of homework is absurd:  "This is so stupid.  Part of growing up is having a lot of homework every day.  You're supposed to say, 'I can't come out and play because I have a lot of homework to do'."  So this deeply entrenched convention made him unhappy as a kid, and even now he feels so bitter about it that he just can't bring himself to imagine that it might have been fairly pointless? Therefore, out of sheer selfishness, he thinks another whole generation should continue to suffer, and we should all collectively pretend somehow that  our suffering is virtuous?  

The essence of parenting is hope.  Hoping that our children will lead joyful and positive lives, and laying the foundation for their success.  Three cheers to all the parents out there with the determination to create something better for our kids.  Because they deserve it.