[SUBMITTED]Your Assignment, Should You Choose To Accept It

[Fauxia]

This has come up in real life by real politicians, in fact, the head of government of France (at the time). So here we go.

[description]A broad coalition of socialists and middle-schoolers have come into the spotlight after proposing that the government should ban homework, claiming that it favors the wealthy.

[validity]must have mandatory education, must have at least some income inequality

[option 1]"Homework is just another form of bourgeois oppression!" exclaims surprisingly knowledgeable 10-year old Francis Holland, leader of the activist group School Children Raging Against Plutocratic Psychosis (SCRAPP). "The poor proletarians have far worse work environments after school- their parents usually have less time to help them and a better education, from working multiple jobs, and thye have less resources at hand?. And why should us kids have to do school stuff at home anyway? It's not like home is school! @@LEADER@@, leave us kids alone! Ban homework now, and increase social policy to reduce inequality at all stages of life.
[fallout]foreigners wonder why they see so many children even during the school year

[option 2]"This is a legitimate concern raised," says "nice guy" teacher @@RANDOMNAME@@, during a free period. "I agree that we should outlaw homework, but we can't afford to lose all the cognitive production that homework is the source of. Therefore, I propose a compromise- we can outlaw homework, but even it out by lengthening the school day a bit, and maybe give the students a nice, private nook to do some individual work. The students may not be able to stay awake, but that was already true."
[fallout]foreigners are amazed at how little attention @@DEMONYMADJECTIVE@@ students pay in class

[option 3]"These people don't understand the importance and benefits of working at home," argues "mean guy" teacher @@RANDOMNAME@@, after yelling at a student in front of you. "Homework assignments cause students to think even at home, and when the parents get involved, it can be a bonding time for child and guardian. This is as opposed to staring at a screen playing nation simulators all day, or even playing outside where parents rarely get involved. For the good of the family, @@LEADER@@, you must not outlaw homework!"
[fallout]Children doing homework are played incessantly on commercials honoring parents

Must not have banned computers or videogames or TVs, etc. Must not have mandatory exercise
[option 4]"I have a better idea!" claims health advocate @@RANDOMNAME@@, while doing jumping jacks. "Banning homework will help to decrease academic inequality, but we need to make sure that the students are using their time wisely. We need to make sure they're outside exercising as opposed to staring at a screen all afternoon. Enforce mandatory outdoor exercise rules for all juveniles, @@LEADER@@, and health will be greatly improved!"
[fallout]exchange students are likely to be mocked for their size and for studiousness

[Australian rePublic]

How does it favour the wealthy?

[Fauxia]

How does it favour the wealthy?

Read the first option

[Fauxia]

On the third page now, so bump

[Arceus Domains]

[validity]must have mandatory education, must have at least some income inequality.

Although I agree with the income inequality here, I wonder if there is such thing as "mandatory education". What if you just think of having educational budget?

[option 1]"Homework is just another form of bourgeois oppression!" exclaims surprisingly knowledgeable 10-year old Francis Holland, leader of the activist group School Children Raging Against Plutocratic Psychosis (SCRAPP). "The wealthy have better work environments after school- their parents usually have more time to help them and a better education, plus they have more materials. And why should us kids have to do school stuff at home anyway? It's not like home is school! @@LEADER@@, leave those kids alone! Ban homework now, and increase social policy to reduce inequality at all stages of life.

I don't get the red text at all, nor the underlined text (since it refers to "us kids" and then changes to "those kids"). My suggestion:

[option 1] "Homework is just another form of bourgeois oppression!" exclaims surprisingly knowledgeable 10-year old Francis Holland, leader of the activist group School Children Raging Against Plutocratic Systems (SCRAPS). "I find myself to be in a difficult situation where I am obliged to do a lot of homework and attend long school days, which leaves me with hardly any time for me to do other activities! Also, the wealthy have better environments at home to perform their duties, not to mention their parents can provide them with better standards. It's not like home is school, @@LEADER@@! Just ban homework now and increase social policy spending while you're at it, so that we can enjoy equality at all stages of life!"

[option 2]"Leave this to the adults, Franky," says mean teacher Mr. @@LASTNAME@@. "You don't understand this yet, Mr. Holland, but homework, despite being tedious, is good for the brain, as practice for class and the skills needed. Plus, it keeps kids busy, so they can't be hooligans. Do the right thing, @@LEADER@@- make sure all classes are giving all students homework at every school!"

Not that I don't agree with such option, but I'd also like to see another teacher asking for less homework and a further review of educational standards. Maybe something like this (think of Finland):

[option] "What if the government is just tinkering with policy and getting obsessed with structure, rather than a focus on evidence?" asks Mrs. @@LASTNAME@@, a teacher who recently obtained her pedagogy-degree in Skandilund. "A key concept in our school system should be trust. Yeah, parents need to trust schools to make the right decisions and to deliver a good education within the school day - and schools need to put trust in the quality of their teachers! Let's reduce the amount of homework children take home, as long as we deliver greater value in learning in fewer hours. It's time to promote a family-friendly approach. It will certainly make our students achieve more!"
[fallout] tension is arising between schools and families as the cost of summer holidays keeps increasing.

As for the child-labor options, I have no suggestions. Nice enough.

Must not have banned computers or videogames or TVs, etc. Must not have mandatory exercise
[option 5]"I have a better idea!" claims health advocate @@RANDOMNAME@@, while doing jumping jacks. "Banning homework will help to decrease academic inequality, but we need to make sure that the students are using their time wisely. We need to make sure they're outside exercising as opposed to staring at a screen all afternoon. Enforce mandatory outdoor exercise rules for all juveniles, @@LEADER@@, and health will be greatly improved!"
[fallout]exchange students are likely to be mocked for their size

I suggest you to make the underlined part a bit more explicit, try pointing out that children should not be playing video games at all. This is optional, though, given the validity for this option.

That said, good luck!

[Candlewhisper Archive]

Option 1 is very solid in its arguments, laying out why this is a problem and suggesting the ban. Option 2 is the counter, but doesn't counter very well.

From then on we're a bit too heavy on the crazy.

I would instead suggest inserting an option 2 continues to recognise the problem, but provides an alternate sensible fix, for example having the school day extended and students be given a quiet space to do their assignments within an equal environment, rather than taking work home.

Then Option 3 can advocate the value of homework going home (that's the current option 2). Maybe add more about parent-child bonding, and the not inestimable value as serving as an academic refresher for parents who might otherwise have forgotten their basic science and math.

Then Option 4 can be the single crazy option.

That will give you 2 reasonable propositions that address the problem, 1 that counters that the situation should be magnified not fixed, and 1 crazy ending option. That's a far better issue balance.

[Fauxia]

As always, thanks for the advice CWA! Will updated this when I can.

[Fauxia]

New draft out, with CWA's suggestions

[Fauxia]

Bump. Anyone with an idea for a better title?

[Candlewhisper Archive]

Working From Home
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Your Assignment, Should You Choose To Accept It

[Fauxia]

Thanks CWA, took the last one, hopefully it isn't too long... Anyway, if there aren't any suggestions, I'll submit this.

[Australian rePublic]

Wealthy parents usually have less time to spend at home with their kids. They're usually answering business calls and the such. Poor parents sometimes work two jobs. By that logic, homework really benefits the middle class

[Principality of the Raix]

OOC:This issue sorta works in many directions with how students are either claiming exams as a form of privilege or homework being unfair. I think as an issue, this is very good. Honestly...

[Candlewhisper Archive]

Thanks CWA, took the last one, hopefully it isn't too long... Anyway, if there aren't any suggestions, I'll submit this.

Couldn't see this in the submissions queue so presume it's not in yet, but I look forward to seeing it there.

[Baggieland]

Couldn't see this in the submissions queue so presume it's not in yet, but I look forward to seeing it there.

Go for it. It's a good one.

[Fauxia]

Alright then. I’m going to be away for a few hours, but I will submit when I return

[Trotterdam]

You're missing a closing quote at the end of option 1.

[option 3]"These people don't understand the importance and benefits of working at home," argues "mean guy" teacher @@RANDOMNAME@@, after yelling at a student in front of you. "Homework assignments cause students to think even at home, and when the parents get involved, it can be a bonding time for child and guardian. This is as opposed to staring at a screen playing nation simulators all day, or even playing outside where parents rarely get involved. For the good of the family, @@LEADER@@, you must not outlaw homework!"
[fallout]Children doing homework are played incessantly on commercials honoring parents
Must not have banned computers or videogames or TVs, etc. Must not have mandatory exercise

I think you need an alternate pro-homework option for nations that did ban these things. It would be weird to receive an issue on homework where none of the options endorse it at all.

I'm not sure why some of those validities are even there. Even if your nation has mandatory exercise, it probably doesn't take up 100% of your free time, and anyway that seems more relevant to the next option.

[Fauxia]

That’s a typo, Trott. The validity is for the next option. Sorry, mea culpa

[Australian rePublic]

Wealthy parents usually have less time to spend at home with their kids. They're usually answering business calls and the such. Poor parents sometimes work two jobs. By that logic, homework really benefits the middle class

[Fauxia]

Wealthy parents usually have less time to spend at home with their kids. They're usually answering business calls and the such. Poor parents sometimes work two jobs. By that logic, homework really benefits the middle class

Not all who are wealthy are business owners, Aussie. And I’m not the person who proposed outlawibg homework first. I’m drawing off the ideas of real-life politicians.

[Australian rePublic]

Wealthy parents usually have less time to spend at home with their kids. They're usually answering business calls and the such. Poor parents sometimes work two jobs. By that logic, homework really benefits the middle class

Not all who are wealthy are business owners, Aussie. And I’m not the person who proposed outlawibg homework first. I’m drawing off the ideas of real-life politicians.

You don't have to be a business owner, but in most cases you have to work really really hard. I have first hand experience with this. I've seen people slave away so that their kids could have a pretty good lifestyle. Just because a politician says something, doesn't mean they're right. I know people who live semi-affluent lifestyles, but their parents had to work extremely hard to get there

[Fauxia]

You have a point... I think I’ll make it focus more on disadvantage to the poor than advantage to the wealthy

[Fauxia]

Submitted. Thanks to all who commented, though I realize my fallouts were actually pretty bad when I submitted... hopefully that won’t matter completely. I also took a few more suggestions into the submitted version which I won’t log in here, but if you have questions about a change, you can ask me.

[Australian rePublic]

Good luck!

[Fauxia]

Good luck!

Thanks!