In today's society there is a great debate about homework and how it can affect students' lives outside of school. Homework is defined as any assignment assigned to students by a teacher that must be done during non-school time to help them practice and prepare for their future. Since homework has been around for a long time, it is considered a tradition in most classrooms and homes, and some parents even require more of it. This controversy has been going on for many years; However, homework is a useful tool that all teachers and parents can use because it stimulates initiative in students, helps them improve concepts, and helps students make meaningful connections with their own interests. Homework develops initiative in students. During school, students complete homework directed by the teacher while students begin to do homework on their own. Students feel a sense of responsibility when completing homework on time, thus giving them the opportunity to feel accomplished when finished. They begin to devote their time to studying and playing, thus learning to complete scheduled tasks in a timely manner. As they create an initiative, they also learn self-discipline and work independently. According to the article Benefits of Homework (2014), “Because they are done in the creative atmosphere of one's home, they also help students improve their academic skills, which, in turn, increases their self-esteem. What parents should avoid is spoon feeding the child and letting homework serve the purpose of disciplining the child. According to Marzano and Pickering (2007), states that too much homework can make them perform better in their studies and also paves the way for more informed career choices at a later stage. Instead, students see homework as a punishment for lack of performance in class. According to Coutts (2004), “In such circumstances students are expected to complete work without the academic and social support present in the classroom. For some students this can be challenging because they may not have the support of family members, so they feel helpless and confused. Although some people are against homework, I believe that homework is a valuable tool for education because it helps students take initiative, helps students grasp concepts, and helps them develop their interests. Quoted from Marzano and Pickering (2007), “If a district or school discards homework altogether, it will be throwing away a powerful teaching tool” (page 79).