Over the past two decades or so, backpacks have become as synonymous with school as reading, writing and 'rithmetic. How else can students transport all the books and supplies they need for classes each day? Despite their practicality, backpacks have taken a bad rap through the years. A growing number of schools are even banning them! Is the practice justified or simply an overreaction?
Concealing Contraband
From water pistols to real pistols, backpacks have been used to carry paraphernalia other than schoolbooks and pencil cases. While certainly not the overwhelming number of cases, such instances have led to some administrators banning backpacks to dissuade students from sneaking illegal and dangerous items onto school grounds.
When Lake Placid Middle/High School in New York had a problem with a few students concealing alcohol, drugs and weapons in their backpacks, the school banned not only backpacks but handbags as well. Angry parents spoke out at a Lake Placid Board of Education meeting in early October 2011, feeling that all students were being made to suffer for the actions of a few.
Some schools address this problem by having security personnel check backpacks as students enter the building; others, such as those in Baltimore, require or allow students to wear clear backpacks. Still, the argument has been made that items can still be concealed in pockets or under clothing and later stashed in lockers.
Space Issues
Some schools say that backpacks are simply taking up too much room: too wide for narrow hallways, too cumbersome for small classrooms and too large to fit into lockers.
Nancy Jordheim, assistant superintendent of Fargo Public Schools in North Dakota, told WDAY News in August 2011: 'They become almost an additional danger zone because students do not necessarily appreciate the distance they stick out from their backs.' Principal John McSmith of Medical Lake High School in Washington told KREM.com last year, 'They look like parachutes walking around on their backs, it's huge.'
Scott Herrmann, principal of Gemini Middle School in Chicago (which banned backpacks about 15 years ago), told the Chicago Tribune in January 1998: 'We have 800 kids and narrow hallways, and a kid with a backpack just about doubles the space they take.'
And what about bringing them into classrooms and dropping them beside desks? Tripping hazards, some school officials say, considering that some backpacks are nearly the size of small luggage!
Backpacks Can = Bad Backs
For many years some schools have banned the use of backpacks due simply to health reasons.
Many physicians and medical associations agree that carrying heavy backpacks can lead to problems, including muscle strain and poor posture. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons states that backpacks worn incorrectly or packed too heavily can cause injuries to the neck, back and shoulders. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that nearly 28,000 backpack-related injuries were treated in 2010!
Principal Lynn Gottbrath of Wright Elementary School in Shelby County, Kentucky, even banned wheeled backpacks for the 2011-12 academic year because 'they're much heavier and cause a lot more stress to the student.' The American Chiropractic Association agrees that a large number of backpacks on wheels can lead to obstructed hallways and suggests that these types be used only by students who absolutely need to use them.
Basically, it would seem backpacks are a necessary evil despite compelling reasons for their banishment. Maybe they do strain backs and take up a lot of room. And there may be a few bad apples who use them inappropriately. But it still seems that when it comes to education, backpacking is the only way to travel.
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FAQs
Concealing Contraband
While certainly not the overwhelming number of cases, such instances have led to some administrators banning backpacks to dissuade students from sneaking illegal and dangerous items onto school grounds.
Why are there no backpacks at the end of school? ›
As most administrators know, schools have been barring backpacks for years to prevent students from concealing weapons and other potentially problematic objects.
Why are backpacks a problem? ›
Tight, narrow straps that dig into your shoulders can cause tingling, numbness, and weakness in your arms and hands. Carrying a heavy pack can make people more likely to fall, particularly on stairs or other places where the backpack puts the wearer off balance.
Why shouldn t schools search students backpacks? ›
The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution protects people against unreasonable searches and seizures to protect their privacy interests in their homes and personal belongings.
Why are backpacks being banned? ›
"Backpacks make it easier for students to hide weapons, which can be disassembled and harder to identify or hidden in pockets, inside books, or under other items," he said. Rear view of students walking at a school campus.
Can schools look through your backpack? ›
To search you or your belongings (like your bag), a school officer must have reasonable suspicion* to believe that you broke a school rule or committed a crime, and the extent of the search must be related to the reason that you are being searched.
Do Japanese schools allow backpacks? ›
A randoseru (ランドセル) is a firm-sided backpack made of stitched firm leather or leather-like synthetic material, most commonly used in Japan by elementary schoolchildren. Traditionally it is given to a child upon beginning their first year of school, whereupon the child uses the same bag until grade 6.
Why do high schoolers wear kids backpacks? ›
“It might be a way for high schoolers to express a desire to hold onto their youth and resist the pressures and responsibilities that come with adulthood.” “The trend might also be a way for teenagers to challenge societal norms and expectations,” Dr. Hafeez explains.
How long should a school backpack last? ›
How often you replace your school bag will depend on a number of factors ranging from the material used to manufacture your bag and its style, to the general wear and tear your bag will undergo. Some school bags might need to be replaced every year, whereas others might last you a good three to four years.
How much weight can a 10 year old carry? ›
While it's common these days to see children carrying as much as a quarter of their body weight, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a backpack weigh no more than 5% to 10% of a child's weight.
Medical Research on Backpacks
Carrying heavy backpacks, or carrying them in a way that strains the back, is a frequent cause of back pain in children and adolescents.
Why are there no backpacks in middle school? ›
According to school officials, the ban on backpacks allows staff to focus their attention on the students without having to take the time to search through bags.
Can a teacher yell at a student? ›
If you're teacher is yelling at students and using name-calling or derogatory language, this is a form of bullying. It's inappropriate and could turn your child and other students off of school altogether. A problem like this should be reported.
Can teachers say no to the bathroom? ›
Bathroom rights might be something one just assumes, but according to California law, there are no guidelines that decide whether teachers must allow bathroom usage, and CHS has a lack of a general policy on whether a student can leave the classroom to use the restroom.
Can teachers look through your phone? ›
Can my school look through my phone without my permission? ONLY IN AN EMERGENCY* OR WITH A SEARCH WARRANT ISSUED BY A JUDGE based on “probable cause” that your phone contains evidence of a crime (meaning that a reasonable person would believe there is evidence in your phone).
Why should rolling backpacks be banned? ›
Rolling backpacks are a hazard and they always hold up lines because you can walk directly behind the person in front of you and you can easily trip over them. If things change lines won't be held up anymore. They are also very hard to navigate upstairs.
What is the clear backpack rule? ›
All backpacks and bags must be clear and made of transparent plastic or vinyl material and must not have any opaque or tinted parts. The backpack or bag may have side mesh pockets, but backpacks made entirely of mesh will not be allowed.
Are clear backpacks an invasion of privacy? ›
“Some might say [clear backpacks are] a complete invasion of privacy and can even embarrass students who may not be very organized or are carrying personal items. This invasion of privacy can promote an uncomfortable environment for students.”
