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Indiana school bans purses in the classroom
Filed under: Teens, Day Care & Education
In an effort to keep kids as safe as possible, many schools have banned backpacks in the classroom, forcing students to keep them in their lockers instead. But an Indiana high school is taking that idea one step further, telling female students that they can't carry their purses either. And that new rule has girls and parents alike upset.
At a recent school board meeting, parents challenged the rule. Telling school officials that girls need purses for privacy, one mom attempted to cram a feminine hygiene product into her pocket to show how difficult it can be. "Girls this age are easily embarrassed; they don't want people to know they have their period," she said. Parents are also worried that purses stashed in lockers might be stolen.
Big purses are in style right now, which is probably what is at the center of this issue. The school principal implemented the plan when he noticed that girls were carrying bags that -- size-wise -- were essentially backpacks. Maybe what this school needs is a purse dress code?
Does your high school have a backpack or purse ban? Do you think they should?
At a recent school board meeting, parents challenged the rule. Telling school officials that girls need purses for privacy, one mom attempted to cram a feminine hygiene product into her pocket to show how difficult it can be. "Girls this age are easily embarrassed; they don't want people to know they have their period," she said. Parents are also worried that purses stashed in lockers might be stolen.
Big purses are in style right now, which is probably what is at the center of this issue. The school principal implemented the plan when he noticed that girls were carrying bags that -- size-wise -- were essentially backpacks. Maybe what this school needs is a purse dress code?
Does your high school have a backpack or purse ban? Do you think they should?












ReaderComments (Page 5 of 7)
9-13-2008 @ 5:52PM
Kyta said...Okay, I'm a 15 year old girl and I REALLY hate purses. It's so annoying! All the stuff that needs to be in a purse can be carried in pockets (especially of cargo pants). Now, to all guys out there saying they only know girls are on their period cuz girls tell 'em, it's freakishly obvious that a girl is! Just look at the back of her pants and there is a bloody spot especially when the girl is first starting ... or those like me who just started a year and a half ago and still aren't even close to regulating. For this: I have a pencil pouch-looking-thing that I put all my fem stuff in which I put in my backpack which we are allowed to carry around. Hey, problem solved. You just have to disguise it properly.
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9-13-2008 @ 6:15PM
iMSmartRthanU said...Problem solved huh? Let's all just wear huge, over-sized cargo pants with about a gazillion pockets in 'em!! Then we can also fit our lunch in there, our pets, our toothbrushes etcetera...blah blah blah...
9-14-2008 @ 9:30AM
Kyta said...Hey iMSmartRthanU! I love cargo pants! And I'm not talking about those gigantic farming cargo pants when I say cargos (though some of my freinds who do have sheep and other animals like those). Remember a frew years ago when they were in style for girls? And they fit really well and looked good. Yeah, it's those I'm talking about. Regarding lunch: use a lunch box! You know, that thing that you toted around all day in elementary school but now that you have a locker in high school it's okay to carry around. Who in the right mind would want to shove a dog in a purse?!?! That's animal cruelty! I don't care how "cute" they look. It's just plain wrong! haha! who carries a tooth brush around with 'em?
9-13-2008 @ 5:58PM
Kristin said...As a middle school teacher, I applaud the school district in Indiana for creating this rule. I hope the administration and the school board will not cave to parent complaints. Banning backpacks and purses reduce two problems in the classroom. One is the issue of space. I can not tell you how often either myself or a student has tripped over purses that are left in the isle or that were tucked under a desk, except for the strap. It doesn't matter what size the classroom is, people should have the expectation of being able to walk down an isle without the danger of falling. The second issue (and the actual reason backbacks were banned to begin with) is the issue of safety. Most schools started banning bags in the classrooms after Colombine. Purses, no matter how small they are, could serve as a vehicle to transport weapons into the classroom. I've seen the video of the male student who had at least ten weapons hidden on his person under his clothing, and, yes, that can be done (apparently). However, if removing bags of any kind from the classroom reduces the ability of a student to bring a weapon in to the classroom, than I fully support it. Also, keep in mind the myriad of distractions purses contain: cell phones, lipstick/gloss, brushes, mirrors, etc. None of these items are necessary in a classroom. They can all, including femine hygine products, be kept in student lockers.
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9-13-2008 @ 6:24PM
iMSmartRthanU said...l-e-a-r-n-t-o-s-p-e-l-l. i-t'-s 'a-i-s-l-e' n-o-t "i-s-l-e" you're a teacher?!?!?!!
9-13-2008 @ 6:36PM
Kristin said...iMSmartRthanU said:
"l-e-a-r-n-t-o-s-p-e-l-l. i-t'-s 'a-i-s-l-e' n-o-t "i-s-l-e" you're a teacher?!?!?!!"
I am a teacher, and proud to be one. I'm also human and make "missteaks", apparently unlike you. Thank you, though, for your insightful comments on this article. Your thoughts have added much to the discussion.
9-13-2008 @ 5:58PM
Palmer said...My daughters school doesn't even have locks on their lockers. It's a private school but not too small, 700+ students. There is a no tolerances policy and in the 4 years she has been there, there has been one theft. Sad that rules like "no backpacks" even need to be made.
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9-13-2008 @ 8:52PM
shadycourt123 said...my school doesnt care what kind of bags we have . its nice because we dont have to nworry about things like that. i mean if they took purses away there would be big problems.
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9-13-2008 @ 6:07PM
Kaylee said...I think the guys can carry their inhalers in those big pockets in those big baggy pants they wear, and since when was tampons FREE? Please people!! This country WAS a good Idea....
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9-13-2008 @ 6:11PM
Kyla said...I am a woman who went to high school, & i truly don't see the need for a purse in class except for other people to see. They make compact tampons and pads that can easily fit in your pocket. If you don't feel comfortable putting your purse in your locker because it might get stolen, then leave it at home! what could you possibly need at school that you would have to worry about somebody stealing it? School is just that, school. It's not a fashion show. I think its great they're making them leave their purses in their locker or at home, go to school to learn, that's ultimately the purpose isn't it?
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9-13-2008 @ 6:13PM
Carol said...My daughter's High School has also banned purses from school. They are allowed to carry a pencil case instead. Back packs have been banned for years, they tried to limit the size of the purses but some girls didn't listen and still carried big bags. So instead of disciplining the girls who did not cooperate with the smaller size they banned all purses.
She goes to an all girls Catholic High School in Pennsylvania. I do not agree with this policy at all. Enough is enough.
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9-13-2008 @ 6:13PM
tabitha said...its ridiculous that our world has come to this. Girls cant even carry a purse...im sorry but if it can hold a handful of tampons then it can hold a gun, so what good is putting a size limit on it gonna do?
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9-13-2008 @ 6:14PM
crystalangel said...Although having free feminine products in the bathrooms seems like a good idea, it would never work. There would be too many girls stealing them so they didn't have to buy any. And there is no way I could ever live without my purse so I would probably be suspended as well if I were still in school.
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9-13-2008 @ 6:18PM
robyn said...i know when i was in school you couldnt get to your locker between classes not enough time, and you was only allowed a pass for the restroom 3 times in a month. putting supplies in the restroom i dont think will work due to you will have some moron that will either think its cute to go in and plug the tiolet with them, or will steal them. girls need their purses with them,or various things, and to the person who said they dont need cell phones, remember the virginia tec shootings? It was the students calling 911 from class when the shooting started. i dont see why book bags should be banned either. i think we are just going way to far. i carried my extra supplies, my calculator and all my books with me in class. put in metal decetors if your worried about weapons. most inner city schools have them now anyway. we cant punish the innocent for going to school. this is still a free nation, why are we allowing the government to take our freedoms away one at a time?
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9-13-2008 @ 6:32PM
Sarah said...My middle school tried to ban purses that you could fit a textbook in last year (girls didn't care they did it anyway). I thought a good comprimise would be letting boys carry around draw-string bags but our principle said no. I switched houses almost every day so I needed a bag to carry some of my things in to both houses because I didn't have a locker.
They let us carry bookbags at my high school because we dont have enough lockers. I have to cary 3 textbooks (one is over a thousand pages), four binders, and and my other suplies. Some of us need purses because we cant fit anything we need into our bookbags.
I think they shoudln't ban purses. Set a size limit and let boys have draw-string bags. Easy compromise
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9-13-2008 @ 6:28PM
Gwen said...It's about time! Girls always want to be equal and this gives them the chance. Our three sons attended a school that did not allow lockers or backpacks. Each classroom had a set of books and each student had a set at home. No one was allowed to carry a backpack, but girls could carry purses. All students could carry folders (binders) How is that fair? I'm not saying that I agree with the rule. I think it sucks. But, if it is going to be a rule, it needs to be equal. Boys have to carry everything in their pockets or in their folders. So, if it's the rule, the girls should have to do the same.
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9-13-2008 @ 6:28PM
beachcutie said...My high school imposed this rule at the beginning of this school year because last year, way too many girls would text(from their phones) inside their purses. However, this is totally a pain to shove my purse (i carry really big purses) inside my locker when i need to get to class on time.
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9-13-2008 @ 7:16PM
Tom said...MISJANESC, why is that when people do not agree they insult? Does this give you pleasure?
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9-13-2008 @ 6:30PM
Sandy said...The public schools in my city allow back packs, but they must be made of clear plastic. I have often noticed that women working in department stores keep their belongings in a clear plastic makeup bag. As for the suggestion of having machines in the girls restroom offering free feminine hygiene products. How long do you think it will last before vandals break it? Implement size restrictions. During homeroom, teachers should notice the size of the girls purses and if they are too big, make the girls put them away.
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9-13-2008 @ 6:38PM
the better jeweler said...stupid stupid stupid, how sad schools have to dictate what can be carried into school or worn because students are so irrisponsible and might bring in contraband items or dress innappropriatly, come on third world countries dont have these problems, it doesnt take a villiage to raise a child it takes a responsible parent, schools are supposed to educate our children not raise them, parents do your job, it all starts at home mentally healthy children that are nurtured and taught right from wrong and raised in a stable home enviroment are able to make good choices, again parents do your job raise your own children so schools can educate and not baby sit
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