Figure 1.--This Indiana boy was ready for school in 1953 with his book bag. I don't think, however, that this was a common style for students. |
|
Many American schools still incourage the children to bring book bags to school. One school suggests that "A book bag is the easiest way to be prepared for class. In it you will keep the items you need like: pens, pencils, notebook, assignment pad, personal reading material, textbooks, folders, and a calculator." Some students keep other supplies like paper clips, a ruler, whiteout, colored pencils and tape. The school tells students that they "... should be careful to keep the bag organized and cleaned out--and make a habit of checking it regularly." The school also warns, "Students should NOT carry ALL their books around all day, however, as that could put a strain on backs and shoulders. It is recommended that students make frequent trips to their lockers to drop off heavy books." Most American schools have lockers for the students, especially secondary schools. This is much less common in many other countries. Back packs are almost an article of clothing for modern American kids.
Back packs in the U.S. they are made in a variety of styles and colors and are usually made of nylon. There have been concerns that kids carry too much in them and that it can be bad for their backs. Some kids now use the rolling style of backpack with the pull up plastic handles similar to luggage.
Kids in the US use them to carry their school materials around. Middle and High schoolers tend to use them in place of school lockers. They have been very popular for years. Kids also use backpacks when going on trips, sleep-overs, and the like.
Book bags have come under increased scrutiny in American schools. Back packs are still the popular choice for transporting textbooks, notebooks and other supplies to and from school for most American school children. Practices vary between elementary and secondary schools.
A principal at a Texas elementary school expalins that "... once an elementary student is at school, there really is no need for a book bag to transport supplies." He says that they are needed for taking homework home, which is an "integral part of the school system." The children keep their book bags on hooks with their coats in the back of their homeroom. Younger students generally don't leave homeroom, except for special classes like art and music. "Students in third, fourth and fifth grade do change classrooms
for reading and math," the principal says, but when they do, they only carry the appropriate book.
Students at one Texas highschool carry their books in their arms at all times, according to the principal. The school adopted a "no book bag" policy to prevent problems caused by book bags, like tripping in classroom aisles. (Exceptions to the rule have been made for students with a broken arm or other difficulties.) "They are allowed to go to their lockers at designated times. Students don't have very far to carry their books, thanks to a "team cluster" system at the school - all of a student's academic classes are centrally located. With the clustering system, "students don't have to carry all of
their books at one time," the principal expalins. The only reason students would ever need to carry a bag at school would be for gym clothes, she adds.
As a sign of the times, the concern over book bags has taken on new dimensions in modern America.
Cherokee board considers
book bag ban at middle, high schools. A Cherokee County (Georgia) Board of
Education committee appointed to find ways to increase the safety of high school students has recommended banning book bags in middle schools and high schools. The problem of course is that students are hiding weapons in their book bags.
Book bags are no longer called book bags in America. They are often called back packs or daypacks. They are commonly made of nylon. Popular colors for secondary students in the 1990s were scarlet, navy, royal blue, black, slate, forest, and chili. Secondary students usually consider themselves to sophisticated to actually wear their bags onn their back. Some may wear them on one shoulder. Many now come with a strap like a handle so they can be cairred. Many companies now offer clear vinyl bok bags with all areas inside visible for quick inspection!
Related Chronolgy Pages in the Boys' Historical Web Site
[Main Chronology Page]
[The 1900s]
[The 1910s]
[The 1920s]
[The 1930s]
[The 1940s]
[The 1950s]
[The 1960s]
[The 1970s]
[The 1980s]
[The 1990s]
[The 2000s]
Navigate the Relate Boys Historical Clothing Uniform Garment Pages
[Return to the Main American book transport page]
[Blazers]
[Caps]
[Coats]
[Hose]
[Kilts]
[Pants]
[Shirts]
[Shoes]
[Smocks
[Suits]
[Sweaters]
[Ties]
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing School Uniform Country Pages
[Return to the Main American school book transport page]
[Return to the Main School Uniform Page]
[Return to the Main National School Uniform Page]
[Australia]
[England]
[France]
[Germany]
[Ireland]
[Italy]
[Japan]
[New Zealand]
[Poland]
[Singapore]
[Scotland]
[Singapore]
[United States]
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Page
[Introduction]
[Activities]
[Biographies]
[Chronology]
[Clothing styles]
[Countries]
[Bibliographies]
[Contributions]
[FAQs]
[Glossaries]
[Images]
[Links]
[Registration]
[Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]
