Two thirds of parents admit that they cannot help their children with school homework because it is too hard.
Maths and science are the subjects parents find the hardest, leaving them embarrassed when they are unable to help, a study of 2,000 mothers and fathers found.
Algebra, fractions and trigonometry are the least favourite homework topics, while Roman history and long division also baffle parents.
The study, by insurers Aviva, also found that four in ten parents admitted there was competition between themselves and other parents when it came to homework.
And half of the parents admitted turning to Google when their children’s backs were turned in an attempt to find help.
Meanwhile over a third of parents worry that they are being judged by their children’s teachers on the quality of their child’s homework, the results showed.
Heather Smith, marketing director at Aviva UK, said: ‘The study shows that many parents suffer a lack of confidence in helping with homework and no doubt the list of topics will serve up memories of their classroom days they may not be fond of.
‘However, it’s important that we do everything possible to equip our children in key areas like numeracy from an early age and develop their confidence in these areas.
‘As adults we might not recall the things we learned about the Romans or the periodic table, but core skills like literacy and numeracy are so crucial that building confidence in these areas as early as possible should be a priority.’
More than half of the 2,000 parents surveyed said they now wished they had tried harder at school, especially at maths.
Ms Smith added: ‘It’s unsurprising that maths tops the list of subjects parents dread the most. As a parent myself, I know first-hand the challenges faced when it comes to helping with homework.
‘With over half of parents admitting they wished they’d tried harder at school, we have a responsibility to give our children the foundation for good financial literacy in in the future.’
THE 10 WORST HOMEWORK TOPICS ACCORDING TO PARENTS
- Algebra
- Fractions
- Trigonometry
- Pythagoras’ theorem
- Ratios
- Roman history
- Long division
- The American Civil War
- The periodic table
- The formation of atoms, protons and neutrons
5 thoughts on “Two thirds of parents admit they can’t help their teens with school homework because it’s too hard”
Maybe parents are just supposed to guide and not practically do the homework
It’s because most of us memorize and are bound to forget after we leave that stage
Well, I believe of you have problems with your homework, you should rather ask your teachet
You don’t use most of what you learn in your real daily life, so how are you supposed to remember?
Home work is for us to do not our parents so it’s ok if they don’t help us