How about just respecting the school's policy. What this parent is teaching the kid is to defy rules and that you can do whatever you want and whatever you want, you should get. There are basic freedoms, yes, but this backpack could and probably does offend other people and you should teach your kids to be somewhat sensitive to that. They can let their kids dress however they want at home and on their own time. But dressing this kid up like the parent wants is a bit ridiculous to prove a point. I mean, what does the 7 year old kid want?

This backpack would be fine if this boy were in high school It would be understandable as his hormones would be raging by then. But to carry it for two years means he has had it since he was 7. The backpack is not age appropriate for a 9 year old let alone a 7 year old. Why do we insist on making kids grow up so quickly? Was this backpack actually chosen by this boy or did his Dad help him pick it out? I bet this boy would just as soon have a backpack with Star Wars(just an example) on it as this one. At his age he would probably prefer it. My grandson just turned 12 and he still doesn't like girls and would look at this backpack and go yuk! I think his Dad picked it out because it gave him a charge!

The law may not indicate anything about a backpack but school dress codes and other school rules can define what is and is not appropriate.

Besides the issue of how sleazy the graphic is, kids today becoming sexually active at much younger ages. There is no explanation for it that I'm aware of, but puberty is occurring earlier. That graphic in so prominent a place (even a t-shirt wouldn't be as bad) bombards their little subconscious minds with even more unrealistic imagery of a human body. And also as someone noted, the character is breaking the law, spraying grafitti. Like others here, I don't get why anyone would buy that for a grade-school child. Sure we have freedom of speech, but we also have to take responsibility for the consequences of how we express ourselves, and don't become a bullying child about it, as the father here has. My guess is the father's own masculinity issues are at play here, showing what a "manly" son he has, because he has a "manly" father. Moron.

I think you're the one with issues with women's social perceptions and bodies if you think a woman dressed in a bikini is a 'whore.' In fact, this entire comment is ridiculous. I hope this probably perfectly normal little boy somehow ends up in the proximity of your future female progeny and dates her.

It is probably a better role model then your fat ass telling children that it's ok to be fat. I'm not saying children should be talked down to or harassed but they shouldn't be encouraged to be complacent with obesity. Did you ever think this piece of art that you call obscene might actually inspire a young girl to want to live a healthy lifestyle to obtain a healthy body that was depicted? Get over it, it is only offensive if you let it be offensive. These are kids that live in Florida lady, do you really think that they don't see the exact same thing (a women in a bikini) at the beach every time they go?

I am with Rick on this one...and if you think little girls self images will be destroyed by this...then they all must be made of glass. This is such a non- issue made out because one parent was offended. Prove the damage being done!

I bet the parent probably has her little girl wearing earings and the latest Hanna Montana clothes to keep up with the rest of the little girls. I think that does more damage to a girl's self image/ worth than this picture.

Amen. Nobody cares!

I agree, they should respect the school policy. This may not show pornography, drugs or violence, but it is inappropriate for a 9 year old child.

It is easy for an adult to say, "it is just a woman in a bikini.", but here is another way to look at it. Would you want your 9 year old daughters going to school with a Chippnedales stripper on her backpack with a very visable bulge in his speedo?

The father needs to grow up and teach his child to respect rules and himself.

amen to that

z1r2p3 what a idiotic thing to say you're judging someone without knowing them at all. The bottom line is this backpack was carried for 2 yrs without a problem from anyone seems to me it's to late to say "oh that isn't allowed" I don't think the school has a leg to stand on if this goes to court.

I totally agree with you.

So if i find a girls perfume repulsive and causes me to feel sick i can complain to the principle and force her not to wear it. Or if I dislike how a students cloths portray religion and i feel it does not follow the idea of seperation between religion and state.

it is kind of inappropriate especially for a grade schooler I don't see why someone would send their kid with a backpack like that to school.

Teaching girls to be fat is also not healthy, but this seems to be the new norm. It is art it is styled in the form of a tattoo. Should other famous statues and painting be banned because they are to racy. What about David his penis is tiny does this teach our children it is ok to show our penis? Peopel need to leave eveyoen alone he is following the rules.

Totally agree. Nobody said anything for 2 yrs and then one person complains and now it's an issue?

That back pack is nothing. I'm 46yrs, and when I was about 9, us boys were drawing pics of naked girls, and more. Kids nowadays are watching sexy TV, women's Trojan person vibrator,commercials, ugh! And playing sexy, violent video games such as Grand Theft Auto!

It's funny, the kids that were "sheltered" from seeing things like this turn out to be the pervs. The "innocent/nice" girls are the first to get pregnant or fast, er um, sluts.

Only thing you should do is teach your kids what may be good or bad for them.

Any parent buying or allowing a child to wear or even display racy photos bordering on porno should be sent to parenting classes.

Apparently this parent never recvieved decent morals or even knows what good ethics are. Makes ya wonder what his parents taught him!

I think Federal level laws should be provided for all schools all the way into College age students.

Thanks to our law makers in DC being nursed by Lobbyists and non-caring corporations this nations has gone down the cesspool pipe.

Who cares. The parent that complaint and everyone else who is offended by this backpack or any other comment posted should worry about how they are raising their own children. The world needs to stop telling people how they should live, what they think is right or wrong. Truth be told, we all have different standards we live by, and how we chose to live them. So this boys back pack should be the concern of the parents and no one else. We live in America the land of the free. If you are offended by anthing you see in the world go back into the egg shell you came out of.

I agree with Rick, how is it a person can complain about a backpack and something gets done but if a small child or anybody is bullied or hurt and they say "they'll do what they can" and in the end NOTHING gets done. i find this to be irresposible, and with the backpack, its a interesting design and seems to be in good shape. the kid is probably a good kid and no one comlained for two years, why punish the kid for doing something they ALLOWED him to do for two years already. i dont feel its fair to the poor boy who likes his backpack and wants to carry it around like any other kid in his grade

Eddie...this isn't a racy photo..and it is nowere near being bordering on pornographic. You must have quite the imagination to go there from this image.

Personally I think the Federal government has more important fish to fry. The backpack is the parents' call unless the school had a specific dresscode layed out beforehand. This is a Parental issue...not a Federal issue.

Just take care of you own kids.

People need to worry about the more important things in this world. Is it inappropriate, maybe, does it really matter, nope. Too many opinions. Too many people feel like their rights are being stepped on. It is a shame. These parents need to put all this energy into their kids grades and activities, possibly into their communities, rather then a backpack. Yes I know I don't know these parents don't judge them, and yes they may focus on their community and children, but if they have this much time to devote to a backpack it doubt it.

I work with over sexualized young men who are incarcerated. These young men have been having sex from a very early age, mostly because they experienced sexual abuse as a child. Any child that is interested in sex, and this picture is definitely promoting sex, has a sad history. Shame on the dad for not paying attention to what is appropriate for a 9 year old.

God forbid! lets just cut our childrens eyes out for seeing their private parts then. Sex is a part of life, and it is not right to jump to conclusions of bad parenting for a simple back pack (zir2p3) you would not give to you children. Wake up people!

really why does a 4th grader need a back pack like that? he should still be thinking about having fun with his friends and playin sports. it isnt about being prude either im a dude in college and i still think that is too much i mean really have some respect for women. they're not just an object for us to decirate our clothing with and they deserve to be respected for who they are and not they way they look. what if that was a picture of your daughter or sister on it how would you feel?

First Dad has issues to deal with and I am not sure that parenting classes would help. He has moral issues that can't be taught in parenting classes. Second, if the picture breaks school dress code then it should not be permitted. No girl can show up to school like that and attend class now, can she?!

Why does everyone have to complain? Seriously. It's a backpack. Why does everyone have to have prejudice? Not everyone is the same. It doesn't make them bad parents, the backpack shows a woman in a bikini drawn in a classic tattoo style. It's art.

Some day God will judge this parent for the Sin's of the flesh. It's truley these kind of people that are destroying this Country that God has richley Blessed. I find It's parents like this one who through their twisted mind and lack of respect for others should be taken out to the back forty and shot. It sounds like This person needs to repent and let God change his life and others who have the same twisted/warped believe system as this individual. I'll be adding this person to my pray list for sure.

All of you that are complaining about this most likely called Sesame Street and sceamed about Elmo dancing with Katie Perry. Give me a break in European countries there are bare breasts on billboards along the road and if you look at the stats, we have more freaks, pedis, and molesters than the Euro Nations do. Lighten up. We live in a free country allow people to be free.

well maybe we should ban cosmo to and not play music by katy perry and lady gaga who show off there goodies to everyone and show little girls how to be hoes themselves. you might need to wake up and smeel the coffee and relize that sex sells and if you dont like it go to india or the middle east where you def wont find these images.

It's easy to say this and to say that, it is even easier to blame someone. The real fault is the parent for buying it in the first place, the second fault is with the school for not catching it earlier( if the child did get it at age 7 because all the kids i know can't make a back-pack last for one year muchless two years come on. The point of the whole thing is the the school district can impose a dress code and you have to follow it, it does'nt matter what we think or say. Everyone has a right to an opinion and to express them without getting persecuted by other people. Oh, and remember that the only reason you have the ability to send comments like this Mr. gofukyoself is because of nerds and dorks .

I think that the father has a valid point. Nothing in the picture violates school policy. Unless the school is going to change its policy so that no pictures of any kind weather they be a symbol, letter or a depiction of a cartoon ect. be banned from being shown on any clothing, backbacks, binder, binder inserts, and for that matter books then i think they should allow the kid to keep his backpack. I think the parent who complained should go back to their preppy little world and get over it. Not everyone has the same taste in art. Just because she views it as pornographic, which i think means they are just out to get attention and cause problems, does not mean it is pornographic. I think if the child likes his backpack the way it is, then he should be allowed to keep it. What if i went to that school and the parents child who accused the picture of being pornographic had a tinkerbell printed on her backpack. Tinkerbell show's a little to much clevage for a cartoon, dont you think? I mean get over it. Its not an actual photograph. its cartoon depiction..

Yand with and attitude like yours It will soon be that way. So Why don't you move over to Europe and take this warped minded person with you and let the Gov't control your Liberal twisted feeble ass and leave this Country to the people who choose to believe in God rather than SATAN.

And tell me exactly who it is that gave you the authority and moral superiority to be a self-righteous, holier-than-thou bitch about things you know next to nothing about. I highly suggest you get the sand out of your no-no zone.

Really? he has been going to the school for 2 years with the same backpack, is the staff at the school BLIND or what! so no staff member (teacher and administrators) saw the backpack...really. so the person that saw this was offended, really? sounds like a trouble maker to me, a prude, lives in a cave, his or her child is in a PUBLIC school being bombarded by all kinds of 'lewed' stuff, how people dress, music, magazines, conversations between students, take your student out of the school if you dont like it and home school...there are people who are book smart and street smart and then there are stupid and ignorant people, my parents both who are militaryt retired taught us kids at early age to never help a stupid person...teach someone who ignorant and you have opened their eyes to knowledge. so to the person who complained, are you stupid or ignorant? no lets think about the kid of the parent that complained, that kid is now a target for heckling or bullying, way to go parent! what a way to go to school knowing that your parent caused this mess...

It's almost always the father of a son that makes a stupid stand like this. If the same guy had a daughter surrounded by boys with these sleazy illustrations he would feel differently. I feel bad for the very young girls that get exposed to the "piece of meat" on their classmates back.

Back pack too sexy for 4th grader.

Lololololol that backpack makes me horny

The fourth-grader has been carrying it to school for two years

So this means that nobody, neither teachers, principals, other students or their parents have complained. Why now has it all of a sudden become inappropriate or too sexy. Because one person complained? Shoot! What the kids see on TV today make that drawing (which is quite good, by the way, in my opinion) look positively G rated.

Let it at home.

well i agree with rick-22994somethinsomethin. Regardless of what anyone does there us always gonna be some overly-sensative prick to be offended by it. And that is what the rules are for(sexual,violent,drugs etc.).The woman is shown sitting down holding a spray can,why couldent someone notice that first being that it may promote graffiti?she's wearing a two-piece swimsuit that any kid may see at your local public swimming pool,are you gonna keep your kids away from the water?Now i'm not for it or against it,maybe the kid just thinks the snake is cool.

I have a better suggestion for the boy's father to prove his point. He should dress up with similarly styled shirt and go to work.

whats the big deal,its no different than whats on tv all day every day. its no different than the women of television ,music videos they all half to show part of their a--.it seems that in order to become a star you have to be willing to dress half necked like some supper slut!! get real the back pack is not a big issue,so stop making it one. clean the television up first the work on the back packs next.

right on. i agree how sad that a father could be so ignorant as to let his son attend school with such a distaste for not only other girls but apparently for himself. we could all see the writting on the wall (prison) for this kid. great parenting dad.

This wasn't the School's rule as he had it for a couple of years. This was caused by some Parent who didn't like it and made a fuss. I think the boy's Parent should tell that complainer how to dress their kid. If you don't like it don't look but who are you to pass judgement.

Everyone seems to making some generalizations.

First; how do you know that the father picked the backpack and not the kid ? Maybe, just maybe. The kid thought the picture was "cool". No perverted thoughts. No innuendo's. Simply a "neat" picture. Do you know the parents ? No. But, you think you have them ALL figured out. They MUST be bad parents. Of course. That's reasonable. After all you know so much about them.

Secondly, the backpack was not an issue for TWO years. Nobody said a word and now ONE parent. ONE; has an issue and now we have a controversy and everyone is outraged. Suddenly rules and procedures must be enforced.

And before anyone asks. Yes, my wife and I have two boys. They're both on the honor roll, and they stay out of trouble. They saw the picture of the kids backpack, and the only thing they noticed was the snake.

I am fairly certain that the school and/or school district has a dress code. The school can simply say that the code also includes characters on clothing and accessories.

so you think everyone should be ashamed of the human body,girls that are over weight are not healthy and not everyone that likes to look at beautiful woman is a perv. and anyway god made you without clothes,so why don't you grow up and worry about your back yard,if you have on sin in your life then you can say something.

Z1R2P3, only a stupid broad would make a comment like that, it just shows what a mental midget you are....anyway its freedome of speech, yeah its sexist not illegal, get over it.

totally agree!!!!!

Kids look to their parents as role models.. very BAD ones in this case, unfortunately for the child. Ditch the back pack!!!

I agree with your comment, and voted for it, but I think they let the kid get away with this for too long to tell him he just can't carry the same backpack anymore. They should write a new policy regarding backpacks and other "accessory" items, inform all parents, and then enforce it uniformly, including on this poor kid and his dopey dad.

Does no one get that if we let the government start telling us what backpack we have to buy our children that they may just keep going? Pretty soon they will be raising our children instead of us. Does the backpack probably offend some people? Yes, but we are are in America where we have CHOICES and that was his parents choice. The government is slowly whittling away at our choices and the more we let them in, the more they will take from us. Wake up, this is about so much more than a backpack and the parent is trying to make his point so that he can keep his choices, his choices.

This isnt about what laws apply and which ones don't. This is about morality! Something this country needs to learn all over again in order to become a better country. Obviously the Chinese don't have these kind of issues because they are taught morals and discipline from a very small age. The current generation of parents have control of the future of this country depending on what they show the future generation as far as whats right and wrong. A woman with a falling bra represents sensuality(sex for those idiots), and the snake represents evil(who can deny that). Morality and discipline will push this country forward, not "freedom", and the "constitution". Hope someone out there understands what im trying to say, since this is the first time i write a comment on something i read online. Thanks...

Sic-n-tired

"Let's go back to the basic point. God made the human form, male and female. Who has the right to complain about that?

Even if the image were nude, who has the right to critize God's creation for being "too sexy"???"

How many women do you KNOW that look like that? Come on, this is not what G-D created. This is the image that MAN created because it turns him on. I bet not one of you men have a wife that looks like that (and of course, if you do, chances are it's fake anyway).

I'm not a prude by any means. I was raised by a father who was very open about any sexual question I had (and I'm a girl), and NO, he was NOT a sicko. He was merely a father who would rather his daughter hear it from HIM as opposed to other means. I praise him for his superior fatherhood. By the way, I was raised with the knowledge, but it didn't mean I had to use it as a child. I was actually allowed to be a child.

But I will tell you this, if my daughter had seen that and got upset, I would have called for it's removal as well.

The father was wrong for defying the school (especially in front of his young and impressionable son) and should get three licks with the paddle they used to get when I was in school.

4414-1139

"Who cares. The parent that complaint and everyone else who is offended by this backpack or any other comment posted should worry about how they are raising their own children. The world needs to stop telling people how they should live, what they think is right or wrong. Truth be told, we all have different standards we live by, and how we chose to live them. So this boys back pack should be the concern of the parents and no one else. We live in America the land of the free. If you are offended by anthing you see in the world go back into the egg shell you came out of."

So basically, what you are saying, is that if we don't like YOUR opinion, then we should crawl up and die, right?
You claim this is America, land of the free, though you don't think other people should be allowed to express their thoughts with THEIR freedom rights?

Your home is your home, and it doesn't matter to me how you raise your kids, as long as it doesn't interfere with MY kids' rights. It DOES matter to me if HOW you raise your kids, hurts MY kid in some way or another.

You prudes need to get a life! It is a cartoon of a woman in a bikini, A BIKINI!!! Are you gonna run up and down the beaches yelling at women in bikinis to cover themselves?!?!? Are you currently boycotting or protesting victorias secret? Victoria secret commercials show more TnA than this backpack and I have seen those commercials during SATURDAY MORNING CARTOONS!!!! Get a life prudes! It is not that big of a deal

Well, the real question is: who gets to decide what is "offensive" and what isn't? Everyone has different ideas about what is and is not "offensive" and "inappropriate".

If YOUR child goes to school wearing something that I personally find offensive, do I get to have it banned even if YOU think it's ok? What if I think that football is a dangerous sport that causes permanent brain damage and, therefore, children should not be allowed to wear any football-themed clothing or have any football themed items with them at school? Do I get to impose that opinion on YOUR child? If not, then explain to me why the complaining parents in this case get some special privilege to have THEIR personal tastes imposed upon everyone else?

You are more disgusting than the backpack with your narrow minded view.

The parents of this kid are probably great parents. It is only a picture on a backpack. Nobody in this school has to look at it. They can choose to look the other way and ignore it.

Lack of tolerance is what is messing up this country.

Another case of too many people telling too many other people how to live!

How is it that an issue like this gets on the national news? I think people have gotten so full of themselves that they no longer understand the concept of freedom and the limits that come with it. The intensity of comments on both sides suggest to me that we are going to lose our freedom because we have lost our tolerance for opinions we don't happen to agree with. Nobody seems to know any more where their freedom ends or have any respect for the freedom of others.

In this case, my opinion? The dress code should rule. The voting booth is the place to register your approval or disapproval of the school board that hired the principal.

Bullying is a far more pressing issue, why are we even talking about thia?

I see some validity on all sides here ... lots of comments defining one point of view .. and most have truth, i think ...

It saddens me to see that picture, in general and especially in the context of it being worn by and looked at by 7 - 9 year olds. I feel strongly .. very strongly, that images like that promote body image sadness in girls, and lack of appreciation, in boys as well as girls, of the feminine as anything other than flesh, with the purpose of seductive excitement, not as having anything to offer the world other than outer shell and dressing. (And of course, there's many pictures that, sadly, define the masculine as a harsh bag of muscles with the purpose of competing / conquering.)

If this piece of evidence, the Infamous Backpack of Quentin Ferrer, was likely to be THE ONLY PLACE that these kids were, either at that age or very, very soon, exposed to sexualized images of women, I'm pretty sure I'd agree with those who say he should not have worn it, or been allowed to wear it.

But, um .. Hannah Montana / Miley Cirus, is now a ragingly sexual being, has a video called "Can't be Tamed", and her little sister has, at 9, launched a clothing line of lingerie for little girls. And that's just one slice of what so many see, so much media, every day...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1248271/Now-Miley-Cyruss-year-old-sister-launches-risqu-clothing-line-pre-teens.html

Kids are exposed to images of sexuality in many ways, mostly advertising, (or shows / websites that rely on advertising), and pop stars, and on and on ... I really, really wish that wasn't the case .. I wish that kids grew up, not afraid of the flesh and the sexual, but with a respect, reverence for it. An understanding that all beings are worthy of not only respect, but awe and wonder, and that attractive is so much deeper than breasts and bikinis.

But, being, sadly, that the world we live in is dominated by images of the plastic looking sexy lady, they've already seen it, at least this has some element of art .. and not seeming to scream a sales pitch, like many other images worse than the backpack ...

It's an easy thing to direct our attention to .. I'm not happy about the backpack, or about censorship, but I'd be more worried about the next Nickolodeon cuttie or the billboards and tv ads than about one kid's tatoo style backpack.

I didn't like the backpack either .. but I think more kids have seen, and been influenced by,

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://dailygab.com/files/2010/03/miley-cyrus-hannah-montana.jpg&imgrefurl=http://dailygab.com/wizards-on-deck-with-hannah-montana-2/8313&h=500&w=350&sz=102&tbnid=_gWX3xeyCzB0WM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=91&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmiley%2Bcyrus%2Bhannah%2Bmontana&zoom=1&q=miley+cyrus+hannah+montana&hl=en&usg=__lW_cWXB8Qo8VSjWY7TxjK4c60UY=&sa=X&ei=gJbXTLHHMoSosQPw3fyMCw&sqi=2&ved=0CDcQ9QEwAw

http://www.directlyrics.com/miley-cyrus-cant-be-tamed-lyrics.html

and whatever current version of The Spice Girls, and US magazine, etc, etc, then Quentin Ferrer's backpack.

Roger-2603876

Yand with and attitude like yours It will soon be that way. So Why don't you move over to Europe and take this warped minded person with you and let the Gov't control your Liberal twisted feeble ass and leave this Country to the people who choose to believe in God rather than SATAN.

Excuse me?!?!? Please God let me be reading this wrong, because it seems to me that someone down here on earth has decided that they have the right to judge Your creation when the last time I read the Bible, that Judgement belongs with You and You alone.

Oh and wait a minute, isn't this country founded on the principle of religious FREEDOM? I'm sure I read that somewhere...

Is shameful that the center of all freedoms, America (which I love) have become the geocenter of all ignorance, stupidity and irracionality. Boys should be boys, he likes a girl on a backpack. Well, that is normal for a boy, and is not "inmoral" as long as there is not pornography. Please, note that I put inmoral in parenthesis ( just for the intellectuals).

Long live the Republic!

z1r2p3:

What an idiot you are. Morons like you need to dig a deep bunker and hibernate there until the day comes that idiots rule the world. Good luck with that.

Really, you're an idiot! Look up the word RACIST. The image on the backpack is nothing like cars, trucks and horses. It is of an almost naked women and this image is something that shouldn't be displayed in an elementary school - not on a backpack or on a t-shirt. It's not about being a prude, it's about our children's innocence. They only have it for a short time so we need to protect it. I'm sorry this child's father didn't do more to protect his. It's a shame. Parents really are pitiful to use their children in this manner to "try and prove a point". The father is turning this into a pissing contest and the child is just a pawn.

grace610, what is it about a woman's body that offends you? Do you think a woman's body is evil, ugly and somehow inherently corrupts morals? Is it because you think that a woman's body can only be viewed sexually? Is it because Eve committed the first sin?

Anyone offended by the female body insults women everywhere.

grace610, I take it you and your children do not watch television, use the internet, read magazines, or step out of the house then.

jimbo your an idiot and if shes not letting her kids watch trash or be exposed to innaproppriate things on the internet shes doing the right thing..thats what a good parent does..

hey kiss this! you too are an idot this has nothing to do with religion so your moronic "holy rollers" statement has no business in this discussion..if u havent been clued in to what the issue is. its about innappropriate attire in our schools..the backback whether it was noticed 2 days ago or 2 years ago is not appropriate no shes not naked and no shes not a superhero shes a half naked girl with a tattoo and a bandana over her mouth with a spray can drawing graffiti..worn by a NINE (9) year old..if u dont see where this is wrong then i feel sorry for you..

Those who think this is an appropriate backpack for pre-adolescents to bring to school should ask themselves if they would think it equally appropriate if it was a picture of two men similarly undressed. Personally, I think either image is an odd choice for young children. And, for the record, I think that being offended by the objectification of a woman's body is not the same as being offended by the female body.

ahahaha missy. Bet you're glad for the company. You left out what they might see on the street in even the best towns. Tough walking with your eyes closed.

This is sad that we even have to debate this issue. Unless there were nine year old boys flying those planes how can you even compare the two? Adult Airmen...Nine year old boy. Do you honestly not see the difference? Womens' bodies are beautiful...but do we have to call attention to that fact at the ripe old age of 9? Please...how can any responsible adult consider this appropriate behavior? Come on people raise your standards...or stop having children before you've mentally reached adulthood.

The fact is, this whole creation is an imperfect creation. Why? the answer is..beacause of "Duality". Rich-poor, good-evil, high low, AND MALE-FEMALE. We become perfect when we become single i.e get rid of "Duality". Or in other words, when we MERGE in the FATHER (GOD) through God realization. Why is sex bad ? It is because it is the worst form of duality. Children are innocent....for a nine or ten year old...that child is nearer to GOD as he is far away from duality. Actions like putting explicit pictures of men/women on backpack seeds that evil idea of duality (SEX i.e role of MALE/FEMALE) in young mind, not only consciously for the young minds/classmates, but unconsciously also in the poor kid whose actions are supported by his biological father. Duality would have come later, but his father is expediting the process. Further, the news channel is to be heavily blamed. Why?... Because the evil action was known to few people in the society. Now it is known to even bigger population. So the evil got multiplied. Sad...very sad.

I have to believe that if you don't have a problem with this, you either don't have kids, or you have a son. I can't imagine being the parent of a 9 year old girl who sees this on a back pack and NOT have a problem with it! I have have a son and it would be a cold day in hell when I allowed him to carry this back pack, at any age. What he looks at will be completely up to him. He will NOT be subjecting anyone else to images of women that are neither age appropriate nor an accurate representation of the female form. At some point, we have to draw the line when it comes to our kids and what they are exposed to at various ages. And at 9, I think this is way across that line. HRT, Missy, you are dead on.

Ok. So first: sterotyping something as sexist doesn't equal racist. second people are arguing that it has no violence, nudity, ect. However, look at it the way you are supposed to. The dragon in the background is a representation of natural and uncontroled anger through the fact that it has the beginning of fire in its mouth. next it is a woman who is dressed in very little, face hidden, painting graffitii (sp?). this is a representation of disrespect for the law and for women. it disrespects women in that it shows her in a way that objectifies her body and it is showing her top as coming off. It disrespects the law by saying it is ok to spraypaint where ever. yes I know it is a child who probably does not understand but it is a highly sexualized (negativly) and it has a sense of violence. No child should carry this and if a child came into my classroom with it, i would tell them not to bring it back.

Of course these kinds of pics exist all over any major city. I know what I am going to have to see when I go to Seattle or LA. Because I take God seriously, I choose (as you recommended) to look away. But all the places I see those pics are in areas of town where businesses are catering to the adult demographic. Why do you think there is an age limit of eighteen in most strip clubs? They know it is inappropriate for anyone younger to see what goes on. That is why this is such a big issue. The girl shown on this backpack is not someone who wants to kick it at the beach. Rather, she is someone of the type you'd see performing or serving drinks at a club.

My question is why is it okay for a kid who is ten years too young for a strip club to rep a slut? I highly doubt he knows the meaning of that word.

I agree 100%.

Another example of our slide into the thought- police- mind- control oblivion. "I do not like it or approve of it, therefore it MUST be bad...YOU should not do it."

Frankly, I don't believe my wife would have wanted our children to carry that on a backpack (they're grown now) but I believe if one had really wanted to do so, we would have allowed it. We would have probably discussed the picture, reasons for wanting it and possible ramifications. That "treatment" would probably have convinced the child they did not really want/need such a decoration. (Hmmm, maybe that's why they never asked.)

Would I be so intrusive, nosey, condescending, or stupid as to demand the school step in to control that other parent's taste? Not just "NO" but "H*** NO" ! As a former teacher, I have seen depictions of unspeakable violence, drugs, drug parephenalia, etc on books, shirts, jackets, notebooks, and more. No one seemed to notice or care much about that. If it was brought up in my math class (Jr and Sr high) I turned it into a non-math teaching moment and we discussed a part of life.

Just IMHO, zir2p3 and whitetankviews probably need to leave their neighbors lives alone, get a real life of their own, and do some serious introspection. Why does this bother you so much? Are you so insecure with your kids that you can't use this to educate them about some of the stuff they will see (have seen) in real life or on YOUR OWN TV? BTW, do you rush to turn off your TV when a Victoria's Secret or perfume commercial comes on?

Sheesh!

The world didn't come to an end for two years. Maybe they just think the picture is cool. Are they allowed to think that? Its a girl in a bathing suit. Would it be better if it was Betty or Veronica in a bathing suit? Maybe Mini Mouse? What if it was a picture of the Venus de Milo?

I agree with Whitetankviews. Most likely the dad has the same picture as a tatoo!

Heaven forbid this to happen. Take away a picture of something he could see in person at the beach..................yeah...........riiiiight. Whats next for the prude patrol, beach raids, or even going through all the local magazines to make sure all those bad pictures are cut out?

Just because they have already seen worse, doesn't make it acceptable. The more children are exposed to offensive images, words and behavior, the more acceptable these things become in their mind. I try to teach my daughter that her body is beautiful but it is hers and it is private, no one ever has the right to look at or touch her in a way that makes her uncomfortable. How confused do girls become when they are taught to keep their bodies private while some women exploit theirs and they get all the attention? It is sad this boy does not have a more moral father. I wouldn't let my daughter anywhere near either of them.

z1r2p3, you describe it as an offensive image, but why do you think it is offensive. Because it is a woman? Because she is dressed in a bikini not a burqa? DO you think women should be hidden away? Why is explotation when a woman revels in her physical beauty?

It sounds to me like your daughter is going to grow up with a distored view about her body. Will she be afraid to disrobe in front of her doctor?

Not that you would be able to understand this Jim, but that image does nothing but portray females as sex objects and teach boys that it is ok to look at them that way. It does NOTHING to foster a positive image, all it does is push the opinion that a female is nothing is she isn't pretty and sexed out to the max. How in the world do you think images like this promote a positive body image???? Man you are about as sexist as it gets and it is obvious that you regard females as nothing but sex toys yourself.

I just want to copy something Z1r2p3 said, you all need to read this again:

Just because they have already seen worse, doesn't make it acceptable. The more children are exposed to offensive images, words and behavior, the more acceptable these things become in their mind.

Has anyone ever taken a psychology course??

If you are so excited about your children seeing the "human form", why don't we suggest our educators show up for school naked? Then your kids will get a full, complete view of the human body that is so beautiful. No? Would you object to this? If so, why? Maybe we should give them Playboy as well. These beautiful, human bodies ought to be covered or viewed by a spouse in private.

sadly, this father probably wouldn't see anything wrong with your suggestions (I assume and hope they were said in sarcasim)

In fact that is probaby the only way this man would participate in volunteer school activities :)

I would be offended by this backpack if a child carried to school. It would not be appropriate for any age child in public schools. It objectifies women and is degrading. The human body is a beautiful thing and should be treated as a treasure instead of being so commonplace that there is nothing special about it.

Well, let's see... I think that as a parent of a nine year old boy, I would not purchase this backpack for my son. I know he would not ask for it. I can see where, if the child picked it out, he may think the girl is a superhero. It's the job of an intelligent, discerning parent to say no, this is not what a seven year old should use. If the parent chose it, then the kid may not be aware that the whole thing isn't right. The parent however flies in the face of moderate to conservative thinking. I would say that if you polled the parents at that, or any other elementry school, the overwhelming majority would say that the backpack is inappropriate. I think the principle acted appropriately and I even think that carrying it on the bus is still a bit in question. The principal can't ask everyone what they think about every little detail. They have to make judgement calls. That's the reason they are there.

Let these kids stay kids as long as we can, and don't start talking about how kids in earlier ages had children of their own at 14. That's called progress in a society. I guess those of you that think this is OK are prepared to have their daughters knocked up when they are in high school. You can't have it both ways. Kids need to be taught some restraint. It's up to parents to make decisions for kids until they are mature enough and informed enough to make them for themselves.

Sorry Smack...do you speak for all women? You say this is degrading...how so? Because a women is made to look sexy..well in your opinion. What makes this picture sexy? She's not in a provocative pose. If it was tinkerbell on a girls backpack in a similar pose (which isn't far fetched)...would you have an issue?

I have never understood how people say something is degrading in terms of it being a blanket statement for all people, when there are obviously people of both sexes that don't find this stuff degrading at all. It sounds more like you are the one with the issue.

Way to set the bar so high.

I completely agree with you Lawrocke.

>>agree or disagree, fine. tell him what his kid can wear/carry/listen to/watch we're heading down a really dangerous path<<

Then despite your words, by inference, it is also perfectly okay for my kid to carry weapons/drugs/etc., etc., because it is "none of your business" and I'm not saying your kids can or can't do the same because that's on you; correct?

The question of what this image signifies to any given person, or whether or not it objectifies women as sex objects, or even if it's affecting the other students negatively, is not the point. The point is whether or not it is age appropriate, and whether or not it violates the schools dress code. I must agree with all those who have stated that the parents of this 9YO have seriously questionable judgement. I might give this a pass on the back of a 16YO, but a 9YO? I'd like to point out though, that such a backpack would not have been allowed at any of the highschools my sons attended.

I'm a woman and I absolutely love fantasy art; always have. While I am very aware that this type of art does objectify women, I enjoy it just the same. However, I have two sons (now grown) and I (and their father) was responsible for insuring that they grew up with a realistic view of the world and women both. I waited till my sons were in their late teens before I displayed fantasy art in my home, and even then I was sensitive about the art I choose to display.

As Z1r2p3 stated, overexposure to offensive images, words and behavior eventually desensitizes kids. As a parent, you're responsible for molding your childs character and moral values. You're not just responsible to your own child, but to the society he will one day step into. We are not islands unto ourselves.

Boys will be boys? Not exactly. Boys will eventually be MEN.

Then you better turn off the TV because if anything will desensitize them to offensive images it will be that.

Think Fox News.. Glenn Beck.. now that should be banned for desensitizing children to ignorance.

I think imposing your taste on other people is pretty harmful to the development of this child who you have no responsibilty in raising.

very well put J.Heron

I'm not harming the child. I don't even know these people nor have I had any contact with them. Laughable J. Heron.

Using your child as a guinea pig to prove a point or degree of manhood (the Dad in this story in case you didn't read) is disgusting.

Smut?

I think you are ashamed of what God gave women.

Compare this to "Venus Rising from the Waves" or most other classical art.

I think that the smut is in the mind of the beholder.

I think it is incredibly interesting that commenters keep bringing up ancient works of the nude human body to make a point that this backpack is "okay".

The woman pictured on the backpack is not a pursuing of the naturalistic and perfected human body. The woman's proportions are a horrid example of what is wrong with the image of women in society. Her hips and thighs in comparison with her body are huge (therefore making them the most important parts of the composition) while her head is tiny.

This is not an piece of ancient art pursuing the perfect human body that God has given us, this is the use of art to make women a sex object and nothing more. Ancient art pieces were not meant or used as sex objects. This backpack with its image of the disproportionate woman should not be likened to ancient art, and should not be used by a 9 year old who should be enjoying his innocent childhood years.

I don't think anyone here is ashamed of what God gave women, and Venus rising from the waves would also be inappropriate for a 7yr old's backpack. the key word here is appropriate. If a hiry old man on a motorbike sports this kind of wear, It would be perfectly normal. But we're not talking about a hairy old man on a Harley. In junior high or high school I would call it distasteful, but nothing more. In elementary school, however, it is unappropriate.

I am so tired of people using the fact that God created women as an excuse to ogle at them. Yes God did create women, but I am sure his intent was not for men to exploit them, or women to exploit themselves for that matter.

The female human body was created to be functuional, the real intent of breasts is to provide food for an infant, not as visual entertainment for men. Quit using God as an excuse to view porn!

"Tolerance is the price everyone must pay to live in a free society".....Anyone know who said this???

You're forgetting one thing! It's not just the father and the kid that's effected. It's every other kid in that school that sees that backpack ! And that makes it the right of others to object! He's welcome to have it and drool over it at home, but not in a public place full of children!

Home School. That's a whole new subject.

When do your children get to compare or compete scholastically with others. Public or private school is healthier for a kid's mind and social skills. I met some H.S. kids and they're a little odd.

While we're on the downward slide of moral decay, why not also legalize bank robberies, running stop signs, allow people to murder, etc? Maybe I'll host a seminar on how to shop lift. Not doing anything illegal, right?? I'll teach them the proper way to steal...OH, and wear a glove!...after all, it's for your own protection! Does this offend anyone that I'd be influencing others to do something wrong? If so, why? After all, no one gets hurt....that is, unless you are the one who ends up getting robbed, then it becomes personal, because it happened to YOU instead of someone else. Same way with virginity. You teach young boys that it's okay to treat young respectable ladies as sex objects, deceives to them that they are loved and cannot live without them, tricks them into bed, get the girl pregnant, walk away, etc, they've just stolen something that the girl can never get back, and will never be able to save themselves for someone who actually respects them as a person...she will never be able to say to her future husband on their wedding night that she saved the most intimate gift she has to the most special man in her life. It's like opening your presents before Christmas. This lesson has to start early in life. Adults in this generation have forgotten what it's about to actually parent a child, to teach them to respect, to teach them to be respectable young citizens, and be a better next generation of parents. Parents - we need to grow up and act responsibly! The bag is not acceptable, and is sending a negative message about sexuality to our young impressionable kids. YES, I am an educactor, and proud of it, and is a real shame that schools have to be the serrogate parents instead of the biological sperm doners of these poor children! Schools were never intended to be the parent...a real shame!

As a parent I'll have to agree with alot of what you're saying,especially a dad,however given the certain sexually charged climate we're livin in,I'll probably have to give alittle,now be it as it may,that backpack kind of rides the fence on what is acceptable and what is not,for example how many kids even growing up in the decades before had a bathing suit model pin-up in their locker,,,,, I know I did! Hell I would venture to say about half the guys posting on this blog did!!!I think the kids dad was just reaching out to his son letting him know its okay to love and appreciate women,and generally this type of art is seen a great deal in hispanic culture art,where they generally el evate the beauty of their culture and beautiful women are adorned. Now if you're a woman of course its unacceptable! God knows it was with my mother, who didn't tolerate any bathing model beauties even on my wall!,,,,,,,,,DAMN I MISS MY VANITY & APOLLONIA POSTERS!!! for those of you who don't know, they were Prince's proteges of the 80's,

Well remember that when you want your child to wear a cross or anything that makes a religious depiction, as a true atheist that offends me ! I guess were all screwed then.

No, where not all screwed, "dude-2603356", just the unsaved. God doesn't believe in atheist go read the book of Romans in God's Holy Word-THE BIBLE.

What a piece of work this father is. The little boy has had it for 2 years? That means Daddy sent him off to school with it in 2nd grade! Why teachers and school admin didn't address this then is the real mystery.

your an idiot and have no business in this discussion..this has nothing to do with religion and everything to do with whats appropriate for a child to wear at school look up the word education and manners then get some k

missy12-2602212: AMEN to that !!!!

please don't have children and extinct your genes. Please. I'll pay you.

I pray you learn the truth before you die and it's too late!

I agree with missy12. Word of advice to you JDNE......don't be a ranter.......be a thinker.

I do not know if what you say is true, but I respect your right to say it. Your statements are protected as free speech in this country. Do not let anyone's religo-centric rants bother you.

But please, try to stay on topic.

Thanks

It's people like you he's looking to save go read 1john 2x's and let him convict your heart my friend, and watch your life completely change in time if you confess your sins he is faithfull and just to cleanse us from all unrightousness.

You know what! I feel really bad for you,even if you believe Jesus did not exist,you could never prove he didn't!,,,,,,,,you've got nothing to look forward to 'G',no hope with existence is futility to the mind! in other words if all you believe in is yourself & nothing else,not even someone or something that is greater than yourself then what do you have to look forward to???????Why even excel in life if your existence is oblivion in the end??????Like the saying goes you might as well Eat,Drink,& be Merry for tomorrow we die.

I imagine for two years a whole lot of parents just looked at the backback and said to themselves "that boy's a little odd. Where are his parents? What are they thinking? What goes on at this kids home? I know who not to invite over to be playmates with my kid, etc." Whoever finally did voice their opinion would have been doing the kid a favor if his dad weren't such an immature jackass.

Does it occur to you that the parent who complained MIGHT be the parent of a first-grader, and therefore would not have had an opportunity to see the backpack in the previous two years?

Of course there's also the possibility this may not have been the boy's first visit to his office and he already knew the boy and his dad quite well. Maybe he didn't do anything until somone actually complained because he didn't want to deal with the dad's antics. Just speculation though.

Completely agree with this, go to any beach, girls/women/etc are wearing the exact same thing. If you truly believe this image is smut - do you not go to the beach? Would you not wear a bathing suit out? Rather wear a full body suit, hiding all skin possible? This bookbag has nothing to do with being sleazy. Heck, lets take this a bit further, since this is simply an image of a woman, do you let your kids watch shows like "The Little Mermaid" there is quite a bit of skin shown there.

If it was an image of He-Man, nobody would complain, yet its still a human figure wearing essentially a bathing suit. It is not different.

If the school had a policy against it, someone would have already found this, not two years later and the fear of a parent complaining more to the school makes them change their perception of this bag. There is no way a single teacher/principal/school personnel did not see this bag before. The father saying he is "trying to prove a point" may not be the most mature way of handling this but it is pointing out that the school DOESN'T have a policy against this and in a sense are singling this child out for a bookbag of all things.

Just so you know, I accidentally hit the check mark next to reply...erroneous.

The point of this flew over both of your heads. The beach where people wear bathing suits is not the same as a school, non-debatable and not even worth arguing.

Further, whether or not the school had or has a policy on racy backpacks has nothing to do with this. No school is the same, no one day is the same for teachers and administrators alike. The principal made a call and it was the right one. He even tried to compromise and let the child use it but keep it in his office albeit the father still wanted to make a stink about it.

Everyone should also understand that schools are extremely political venues and the principal has to constantly attempt to appease everyone which he did in this case. A parent complained and he did something about it, great for him. If the principal did nothing, people would be calling for his head.

You really can't see the difference between a person at the beach and a woman with her strap falling off her shoulder suggestively. Really? No difference?

Maybe the mother that was offended could have taken that moment to use that as a teaching tool to her children about how women are beautiful and the difference between respecting women and objectifying them. But seriously...it's a nine year old boy, why should we have to do that at such a young age?

Bottom line.....the picture is not that offensive but what are the parents thinking....There is a time and place for everything and this is just not age appropriate. Let the kid be a kid....he'll have plenty of time to look at half naked woman in his life....That's the problem with today's society...we are all so willing to let our children grow up so fast....let them be kids while they can

So by your standards you would consider walking around the house in lingerie getting hot and worked up for your husband in front of the kids the same as walking around the house in a bra and underwear to get your jeans out of the dryer in front of the kids. If you don't see the difference in a woman in a bikini and this picture then you certainly need to grow up and get some class. When I saw my mom naked in the bathroom as a child it was far different than looking at naked women in Playboy. It isn't about skin being shown. It is about the message behind the skin being shown. Any person with any kind of intelligence and common sense would understand this.

This is to WorkTogether- The school having a policy against something like this has everything to do with it. If the child is not breaking a policy then what right does the Principal have in telling the child not to bring the backpack to school? Personally I would not buy a backpack like this for my child...again if no policy is broken then the child has a RIGHT to bring it to school. Also I have 4 children and all of them went to Richey Elem. for a short period of time & personally I was not impressed by the teachers or the principal at the time.

This is all the time that I am going to spend on this subject as I have better things to do!

"...what right does the Principal have in telling the child not to bring the backpack to school?" --- This is what you asked? Unbelievable. He has every right, he is the principal of the school!!!

Maybe this is the first time he was faced with this situation, therefore a new rule has been established. So be it.

When I was in high school, there were select minorities who wore plain white long T-shirts to signify they were in a gang. I am not saying these two situations are analogous because they are not. However, the principal banned them because they essentially led to fights and violence. He was the principal and has the right to make that call.

This has nothing to do with previous set in stone policy. Teachers, principals, and administrators have to make judgment calls every day that have not been previously reviewed in meetings or experienced yet.

Hi Bob, I agree with you the t-shirt is in poor taste and inappropriate, but I do feel it needs to be banned from grade school as it is not age-appropriate and de-values girls/women to the other kids. Similarily, I wouldn't want young girls toting around an image of a 20-something beef cake posing in an inticing manner with just a tiny pair of shorts on while his muscles are bulging and, oh oops, his 'goods' are accented...similar to image in this photo of the girl with the strap falling over the shoulder and the large breasts bent over the bike. The photo is selling an image to an older audience ... sex sells, afterall, and nothing sexier to some than a "chick" on a bike with a dragon protecting her? We all know kids are exposed to much, much worse, but why expose them to an image that is sexually-charged at such a young age in an environment where we want to encourage the development of their minds?

I'm going to disagree. If you are around children that are exposed to our culture, YES, they understand the birds and bees talk quite well even in kindergarten. Doesn't mean they have full understanding. See in kindergarten they still think people marry for love and the white picket fences.

And a ten year old in Spain just had a baby. Sadly, this kind of thing happens all too frequently, too. I'm not going to say that an obviously inappropriate picture on a backpack will cause another ten year old to have a baby. It takes a bit more than a backpack, if I remember correctly LOL. However, it all contributes, whether in a large or small way.

However, there is a line which should be drawn regarding what attire is appropriate at school, and this is the very reason that many schools now require uniforms. They tired of fighting one battle after another with parents who felt that what they &/or their child wants is far, FAR more important than the petty concerns of anyone else. Frankly, I can't really say that I blame them.

What was it the supreme court said about obscenity? "I'll know it when I see it." I think the bulk of the cross section of the population here has seen it. And I don't think it was so much that the court of public opinion approved....somehow I just can't imagine a world where that would happen in my lifetime....as that they simply did not notice it. People see what they expect to see unless something happens to make them really pay attention, for the most part.

I want to know what brand of backpack will last a kid for two years. Maybe my kids were hard on them, but it seemed as though I was buying one or the other of them a new backpack every couple of weeks.

First thing that comes to my mind: White trash. Glad I live up north. I mean WTF!

You are correct. I am stuck in white-trash land of Florida. No one seems to have any lines they will not cross - anything goes. It's sad. All children, boys and girls alike need to learn respect for the opposite sex at an early age - it will help with healthier relationships when they are adults. All fo the people on here saying it is fine are either white-trash themselves or are too you and do not yet have children. I am no prude. I think the human body is beautiful. But that backpack is demeaning to women and the DAD DAMN WELL KNOWS IT. And does not care. So now, nor will his son. Great parenting. I'll be sure to keep my daughter away from your family and your son.

If the graphic is demeaning then there are a lot of TV shows on primetime network that are just as offensive...

You better engage your V-chip.......

DrDooBie: One can't turn on the V-Chip at school and parents can stop their children from watching bad things that are for adults.