Homework is bad for your family, say researchers, who have found that it causes arguments and upsets.

A study of the impact of homework in different countries says that the pressure of homework causes friction between children and parents.

This pressure is worst in families where parents are most keen for their children to succeed at school.

The survey also claims that homework causes "anxiety" and "emotional exhaustion".

As a solution, the report suggests that "homework clubs", taking place after school, would be a successful way of getting the benefit of homework, without risking the disagreements associated with homework at home.

Parents have the most positive influence when they offer moral support. They should only actually help with homework when their children specifically ask them to.

The report, from the Institute of Education in London, is a review of research over 75 years, which examines the impact of homework in the UK, the US, Europe, Australia and the Far and Middle East.

It says that homework can become a source of tension, particularly when parents try to take too much control of how children are approaching their homework.

For parents to make a positive contribution, the report suggests they should take a more supportive and less interventionist role, only helping when they are asked.

Parents have the most positive influence when they offer moral support, make appropriate resources available and discuss general issues. They should only actually help with homework when their children specifically ask them to. The report also says that the impact of homework on academic achievement is "relatively limited" compared to other factors, such as "prior knowledge, ability, time on task, good attendance at school, motivation and self-confidence".

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