13-Year-Old Boy Suspended For Wearing A Vera Bradley Purse

[DriftingCrow]

http://www.buzzfeed.com/skarlan/13-year-old-boy-suspended-for-wearing-a-vera-bradley-purse
Author: Sarah Karlan Source: BuzzFeed

A 13-year-old Kansas student, Skyler Davis, was suspended from school on Wednesday, reportedly because he was wearing a Vera Bradley purse.

His brother stated, "I've seen girls wear short shorts. Why don't they get kicked out? But then he gets kicked out for a purse? That doesn't make sense. It's not right."

Willis [the mother] said she was told that the suspension wouldn't be lifted until Skyler stops wearing the purse — which he says he will not do.

[Jamie D]

I think it looks good!

[LordKAT]

I don't get it. Who cares if he wears a purse? In old days, only men wore purses.

[Night Haven]

 *Sigh* Why...? Certainly there's very many issues with suspending a kid because of a purse. Assuming he wasn't hitting anybody with it, there shouldn't be a problem.

[GorJess]

Oh wonderful. Most outlets have ignored the actual, full info in this case. The real issue stems that a bag is being brought into the classroom, which regardless of what it is (backpack, purse, etc.) is not allowed in the classrooms at this school, regardless if the carrier is male or female. They want students to store the bags, purses, etc. in lockers during class. My junior high school had the same policy, I think they used the reasoning of tripping, and/or fire hazards.

This has been given a really, really unfortunate angle, and it has nothing to do with what most think it does. The student is not suspended for wearing a purse, but rather, bringing a purse into the classroom to hold materials, against school policy (which I think is a rather silly rule, but it gives this case a much different perspective). Even if this child was a girl, she still would wind up in trouble for this. Yes, it is still 'wearing', but classroom only. Lazy journalism.

[Amy The Bookworm]

Oh wonderful. Most outlets have ignored the actual, full info in this case. The real issue stems that a bag is being brought into the classroom, which regardless of what it is (backpack, purse, etc.) is not allowed in the classrooms at this school, regardless if the carrier is male or female. They want students to store the bags, purses, etc. in lockers during class. My junior high school had the same policy, I think they used the reasoning of tripping, and/or fire hazards.

This has been given a really, really unfortunate angle, and it has nothing to do with what most think it does. The student is not suspended for wearing a purse, but rather, bringing a purse into the classroom to hold materials, against school policy (which I think is a rather silly rule, but it gives this case a much different perspective). Even if this child was a girl, she still would wind up in trouble for this. Yes, it is still 'wearing', but classroom only. Lazy journalism.

Yeah I noticed that too, which is why when I came across the story earlier this week, I didn't post about it after some thought and reading more into it. Though ... I do find it strange they let him do this this long before suddenly deciding "OMG! This is a problem!". Other articles I've read have mentioned that the school, despite the rule (which isn't apparently in the student hand book if I understand correctly) does allow girls to carry purses with them.

... So now, I'm not sure what to think or who's telling the truth, or if they're making this boy out to be a victim when he's not, or if some superintendent is just being a jerk or ... what.

Regardless ... that is an awesome looking purse. I don't know what his sexuality or gender identity is ... but even if he's perfectly straight ... that purse actually seems to work very well for him from a fashion sense.

[suzifrommd]

Oh wonderful. Most outlets have ignored the actual, full info in this case. The real issue stems that a bag is being brought into the classroom, which regardless of what it is (backpack, purse, etc.) is not allowed in the classrooms at this school, regardless if the carrier is male or female.

Thank you for this post, Jess. When I read the original story, it struck me as unbelieveable. Federal protections for gender expression in public schools are very specific and explicit and I couldn't imagine a school official disciplining a student, much less suspending him, because of a feminine accessory.

[Kate Thomas]

at our Middle school I believe that there is a rule that backpacks and book bags should be translucent so items within the bag can be easily identified. I don't think that affects handbags or purses. These days administrators  and staff are primarily thinking about the safety of all students. It is a safety  issue in my mind.
just another sign of the times.

far better to put up with this headline,  compared to another school shooter headline.