Is there a desk in your child's room?

Question

I was talking with some friends and came to the realization that here in North America many kids don't have an actual desk in their bedrooms. They're expected to study and do their homework in the living room or dining room.

While in Romania, where I come from, a nice big desk with ample compartments is one of the most important pieces of furniture found in a child's bedroom. Could this be yet another reason that contributes to much a much lower education in American students compared to foreign ones?

What's your opinion, and also, please state where you're from.

Answer 1

I am in the USA. A 7th grader and I have a desk in my room. =]

Answer 2

YES!

Answer 3

A desk in a common area is more cost effective as most families can't afford a desk for everyone kid in the house.  Also having a desk in the common area lets parents keep an eye on their kids making sure they are in fact doing their homework.  I think the teachers unions, the need for two family incomes to live are the two main reasons for the US's lowering education ratings.

Answer 4

It's covered with junk, but yes my 13 yo daughter does have one in her room.

She doesn't go in her room much though, just for sleeping.

She does homework and such on the den/playroom floor, because she feels more comfortable lying down on her belly or sitting on the floor than at a desk. It's just the way she is, doesn't mean she's any smarter or dumber than anyone else in any other country becasue she doesn't do her homework on a desk. She gets As and Bs.

ETA: I'm from New England, US.

Answer 5

I don't believe having a desk in a bedroom or not has anything to do with achievement levels. The key to a child's educational success is parental involvement.  

My kids (5 and 3) have desks, but when they actually get homework, I will want them to do it with me or my husband close by so we can check in while they do their work.  They will NEVER have a TV or computer in their room; you didn't ask about that, but thought I'd throw it in anyway ha.  We are from the Midwest.

Answer 6

Interesting.  I have to admit, I go into a LOT of rooms that don't have a desk in it.    In fact, I'm having a hard time thinking of anyone (besides us) that has one.

I have a desk in my room.  My 3 kids each have a desk in their rooms.  There's a desk in the commons area and another desk in the entry hall.

We're desked out here.  I make sure to stock it with everything they'll need for assignments.

Answer 7

Hi.  I'm from the US and both my sister and I have a desk in our rooms.  Studying and doing homework is not very effective if you are downstairs with the tv on or other people around.

Answer 8

I'm from chicago, Illinois and I recently bought a desk for my bedroom (at age 21), so yes I grew up without a desk.  However, I live down the block from a public library so I usually just went there to do homework and studying because I got distracted easily.  Even if I had a desk in my room, there was a TV and cd player in there as well!

Answer 9

i do have a desk in my room along with my sister but my brothers don't. I never do my homework at it though it is basicly there for my computer that i never use. I do my homework in the kitchen and use the computer in the living room. I live in Illinois.

Answer 10

Interesting observation.  My son is 5 and a half and I put a desk in his room when he started Pre-K, figuring he'd be better able to do his homework there.  Instead, it became a huge catch all because he wanted to do his homework at the kitchen table instead.  I got rid of the desk but fully intend to buy him another one when he gets older.  He seems to like our office desk and likes to do "work" there but it's a little big for him.  

I'm not sure it contributes to a lower level of education...yes, it helps to have an environment that is conducive to concentrating on your studies and your homework but I think the quality of the school the child attends as well as the amount of parental involvement plays a much bigger role than having or not having a desk in their room.  I live in the U.S., by the way.

Answer 11

I live in Maryland. Before kinder-garden, I had a desk in my room. I loved pretending to do homework, taught my dolls, wrote stories. Then I went to a carnival and won a gold fish. Fred! Well, Fred started a new hobbie for the family. My room had fish tanks, a turtle, and a big habitat for my iguana. This meant, no room for a desk. However, I was lucky enough to have a group a friends on our court and we all did homework together, first thing after school. Outside on our lawns when it was warm, and when it wasn't good weather we went in whom evers home had the best snacks of the day!!! We weren't all in the same grade, we were all able to help each other out, and motivate each other. Also, who didn't do some of their homework on the bus ride home?

I understand where you are coming from tho, kids need an environment that inspires learning. Kids need a support group when it comes to their education. Parents, peers, teachers, love and support.

Answer 12

My 9 yr old daughter has a desk in her room.  It was her dad's desk when he was in school.  I'm from the US.

Answer 13

I am from the U.S. my daughter has a desk in her room where her computer is sitting.

Answer 14

My daughter has a desk in her room.  It has many drawers for all of her necessities. She needs a nice quiet place to do her studies.  She's also extremely intelligent, so you may have a point. My 2 year old son does his in the dining room right now, until we can get him a desk.  It's quiet in there though, cause my daughter is in her room and there's no TV or anything to distract him. He also is extremely bright. We are from Illinois.

Answer 15

i'm from the us and my kids (who are in elementary school) do their homework at the dining room table.  i'm not sure how doing homework in the dining room with a parent around to answer questions as needed would hinder their education as opposed to their doing their homework in their rooms by themselves.  i'd personally rather have homework (and education generally) not seem a lonely and isolating activity.  which flat surface you use for your work doesn't necessarily indicate how important you or your family considers academics to be.

at any rate, the dining room seems to be working for our family, as both kids are working substantially ahead of grade level.

one of the smartest guys i ever knew (and i'm a lawyer and my husband is a professor at a very prestigious university, so i know quite a few very smart people) did all his homework in college standing up, preferably in someone else's dorm room with the stereo blasting.  it wouldn't have worked for me, but he's gone on to get an MD/PhD and it doesn't seem to have harmed his education any!

there are certainly big problems with the american educational system, but no, i don't think this is one of them.

Answer 16

hi, we are from Arkansas and my daughter has a desk in her room and she is only 5.  she does her homework in there and brings it to the living room to be check by either her father or i.  she is a stright "A" student.  my son on the other hand doesn't have a desk in his room.  he does his homework in the kitchen at the kitchen table.  then brings it to us to check.  he is also a straight "A" student.  so desk or no desk i think it depends on the child.

Answer 17

Many kids don't have desks in their rooms, but many do. I know that although I have a desk, I still insist on doing homework and studying in the living room. I don't think that it contributes to a "much lower education" in american children. I think that this is a steryotype, and it is not fair. Because in foreign countries, they think that we americans don't have proper education, and in America, we think that foreign people don't have a good education. I don't believe having a desk plays a major part in that - some children are just too ignorant to pay attention to their studies, or the lives ahead of them. I know that I do my schoolwork in a family area, and my family comes and helps me, and I am less distracted, and am in all advanced placement classes, and a year ahead in math. Many of my friends are the same, and I know many people two to three years ahead in many school subjects. It would be interesting to learn about how people learn, and the school system in Romania.

Answer 18

I'm from somewhere next to anywhere...I have a desk of course... I do think that it is possible to do h.W at the living room and it is alright ..Don't forget that this days with surfing browsers - its an open space environment any way 4 the kids...maybe its better to keep an eye on them:)