School bans 9-year-old boy's My Little Pony backpack

[Mary_Gail_36]

What’s a “brony?” Boys who are into My Little Pony?

Yes. I asked my daughter (9)

Bronies are boys who like my little pony.

Girls who like my little pony are called, “Pegasisters”

 

[Tenofovir]

While I do think that children and adults need to learn that not everyone is nice, and learn to deal with people who are not nice, imo schools have a responsibility to protect students and to require good behavior. Children do not go to school because they wantto, they go to school because they are required to. If they are required to go, the powers that be need to provide a safe and secure environment.

Exactly. Well said. Bullying should not be tolerated. I had minor bullying problems in primary school, one was sorted out by telling the teacher and making use of a bruise I had to blame it on the bully, who later turned out to be one of my best friends of those years – after I admitted later that the bruise was not caused by him, and one was sorted out by parent to parent talk. In high school on two occasions I had two guys try things with me and we sorted it out- suffice to say one was a draw and the other incident ended with a shiner for the other guy’s left eye. Thankfully he didn’t tell the teacher, and that was my main worry for the rest of that day. Having a perfect record I didn’t want to tarnish it.

Bullying is off. As kids are forced to mingle with kids from households where they’re raised by lousy parents or by TV/games it’s not right to have the kids solve these problems on their own. On the other hand some hardship is necessary. Getting straight A’s and/or excelling in sports should be good enough for character building, IMHO, answering bullies is not necessary. If you can muster the strength to cram a thick textbook the night before your character is strong.

 

[HoneyBea]

All I know is there no way on Gods green earth my husband would allow our son to carry that back pack.

 

[Faith1960]

When I was in college I attended summer school in Spain with a small group of students from my university (which is in California). Before we went, we attended a mandatory meeting and were given a checklist of what to wear, what not to wear, how to not stand out, etc.

I followed the suggestions to the letter and had zero problems. In fact, I blended in so well in Madrid that I was often asked for directions by Spaniards.

Several of the other gals in my school “insisted that it wasn’t fair that we can’t act like Americans when we travel.” One girl, who everyday wore short-shorts and tank top (unheard of at the time in Spain) was repeatedly groped on the subway.

Another girl went jogging in a local park (unheard of that time in Madrid) in shorts and had on a large piece of jewelry around her neck. A man walked up to her and ripped the necklace right off of her neck.

Do I think they caused the problems? No, I think there were people out there looking to victimize someone and they found an easy target. Same thing here. There are tons of bully-kids just waiting to pounce on their next victim.

Until these bullies stop, kids need to learn how not to become their target. That is what the research shows and I agree.

ITA.

 

[Monkey1976]

Yes. I asked my daughter (9)

Bronies are boys who like my little pony.

Girls who like my little pony are called, “Pegasisters”

Normally, these terms are applied to adult fans of the show. 9 years old is the youngest Brony I’ve heard of. Personally, I’m a 38-year-old Brony

 

[Cat]

As I said, we called it teasing, back in the day.

Yep, I received reduced or free lunches, wore what are now called “Wal-Mart” clothes, also wore glasses. Got teased endlessly about it. I had one friend in middle school.

Grew up a little, stopped “buying” lunch, babysat for money to buy clothes and contacts. Teasing stopped.

Nowadays we are raising our children to believe that everyone must be nice to them. Everyone must play with them. Everyone is their friend. If one person says one negative thing to them, the world ends.

We need to stop creating victims.

This child is old enough to have been told, “NO, you are not taking a My Little Pony bag to school.”

Some people have more resilience than others. You sound like one of those people. You get over things quicker, and you do not suffer long-term damage from it.

But many people don’t have this trait called “resilience.” They are sensitive and easily brought to tears, and things that hurt them continue to hurt them for years.

You can’t make people be resilient. It’s a trait that, to a large extent, they are born with. Think about babies–some are placid little souls who have no problems being passed around the admiring relatives, and they seldom cry, and they sleep through a zumba class in the room next door, and they don’t startle easily and if Mom gives them water instead of juice, they drink it and don’t make a peep.

These babies are demonstrating resilience, and chances are good that they will continue to be easy-going and sanguine as they grow up.

But then there are those OTHER babies, who only allow 1.5 people to even touch them, let alone hold them, and they fuss and cry over the slightest change in their environment or food supply, and they don’t sleep unless there is absolute silence in the neighborhood for a five-mile radius.

These babies are demonstrating a lack of resilience, and chances are good that they will continue to be hyper-sensitive and touchy as they grow up, even if Mom and Dad work hard to help them be more flexible and resilient.

Just a note–I’m not saying that non-resilient people are “bad” or “inferior” or “damaged” in any way. There are all kinds of people, and resilient and non-resilient people are two kinds of people, both good and whole. Their resilience or lack of resilience makes them highly suitable for certain types of careers and callings in life.

 

[Faith1960]

I can’t for the life of me understand why any mother would buy her son such a backpack and actually encourage the kid to be a “brony!” The poor kid; obviously at 9 years old he doesn’t know any better. I was made fun of in grammar school once or twice for wearing a shirt from Mexico with a protruding gecko coming out of the pocket. The solution? I quit wearing it! Sadly common sense no longer prevails.

 

[child_of_God85]

I’m torn on this issue. I have two boys, both of whom enjoy my little pony, the show. I like it too. But once my younger son, aged four, desperately wanted a rainbow dash stuffed animal and I just couldn’t do it. I felt stuck. Hypocritical, but I just felt like I couldn’t do it. My older son is already “anti-pink” from the influence of his friends at school. But it just seems wrong. Girls can like superheroes and ninjago with no problem, why can’t boys like MLP? I hate the idea of either the school or the mom forcing him one way or another. As much as my ideals say, let him keep his bag, in my heart, I doubt my husband or I would have bought it in the first place which kind of makes me feel bad for some reason. I want my kids’ interests to be their own, not fully directed by me. But at the same time, a little self preservation is useful too.

There is a meme I love, which I have, but don’t know how to share here lol.

One dad says to another, you can’t give your son a doll! It’s a girls toy!! He might grow up to be a…a…
The other dad says, a DAD? Q

I think parents are too scare that if they let their sons play with “girl” toys they’ll turn out gay. This is so wrong. My brother was allowed to play with whatever kid of toy he wanted, be it an action figure or a doll. He’s married to a woman. He’s a air force captain.
I’d say let your son have the plushie. It wont do him any harm
Heck, my fiance has 3 mlp plushies, lol!

 

[HoneyBea]

I think parents are too scare that if they let their sons play with “girl” toys they’ll turn out gay. This is so wrong. My brother was allowed to play with whatever kid of toy he wanted, be it an action figure or a doll. He’s married to a woman. He’s a air force captain.
I’d say let your son have the plushie. It wont do him any harm
Heck, my fiance has 3 mlp plushies, lol!

But it obviously is doing him harm.

Also, I reject that notion that most parents think their children will turn out gay, I have 3 brothers all whom played dolls and barbies with me under zero protest from my parents. However, that doesn’t mean my parents would let my brothers subject themselves to being teased at 9 years old by allowing any of them to carry a Barbie backpack. It is the parents job to protect their child. Does the school have a responsibility in protecting children as well? Sure. But it starts at home with the parent. I blame the parents of both the victim and the bullies.

This idea that you can end bullying entirely is naive. That doesn’t mean we accept it or do nothing, but if you’re sending your child among the wolves prepare him.

Also, I’m really glad my husband does not own “plushies” I don’t even know what that is lol but it sounds like a major turn off.

 

[Dulcinea2721]

Some people have more resilience than others. You sound like one of those people. You get over things quicker, and you do not suffer long-term damage from it.

But many people don’t have this trait called “resilience.” They are sensitive and easily brought to tears, and things that hurt them continue to hurt them for years.

You can’t make people be resilient. It’s a trait that, to a large extent, they are born with. Think about babies–some are placid little souls who have no problems being passed around the admiring relatives, and they seldom cry, and they sleep through a zumba class in the room next door, and they don’t startle easily and if Mom gives them water instead of juice, they drink it and don’t make a peep.

These babies are demonstrating resilience, and chances are good that they will continue to be easy-going and sanguine as they grow up.

But then there are those OTHER babies, who only allow 1.5 people to even touch them, let alone hold them, and they fuss and cry over the slightest change in their environment or food supply, and they don’t sleep unless there is absolute silence in the neighborhood for a five-mile radius.

These babies are demonstrating a lack of resilience, and chances are good that they will continue to be hyper-sensitive and touchy as they grow up, even if Mom and Dad work hard to help them be more flexible and resilient.

Just a note–I’m not saying that non-resilient people are “bad” or “inferior” or “damaged” in any way. There are all kinds of people, and resilient and non-resilient people are two kinds of people, both good and whole. Their resilience or lack of resilience makes them highly suitable for certain types of careers and callings in life.

If I have a child who has a propensity for easy weight gain (genetic, not their fault, just the way they are made). It is my job as a parent to teach that person that she has to manage herself/himself or not and deal with the consequences (health, teasing etc.)

Same goes with this. If this boy wants to take a “girly” lunchbag to school, go for it but please do not be shocked that 9 year old boys who also are not fully developed will tease you about it.

When one of my daughters wanted to go to school with one of her “hootchie-kootchie” outfits on (all mismatched looking hideous IMO). The rules were that it had to comply with the dress code for the school which it did. Then I had a chat with her saying "you know that people may not love this look as much as you do etc. She decided to do it anyways.

She came back from school, “everyone” had laughed at her. She said that she was glad she did it anyways because it was what she wanted to do. Can’t even remember if she did that again or not.

My point is, resilient or not, the parent has to guide the child. If the child to too upset to get out of the car (not showing relience)…the lunchbag has to go.

Why are parents not parenting their own kids and busy trying to change other kids?

 

[signit]

I think parents are too scare that if they let their sons play with “girl” toys they’ll turn out gay.

Now that someone came out and said it, I agree, I think that’s part of it.

I can see some father in the 1960s afraid that if his son played with this or that toy he’d “turn gay.”

I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s still someone out there that thinks that.

 

[InflatusMaximus]

Some people have more resilience than others. You sound like one of those people. You get over things quicker, and you do not suffer long-term damage from it.

But many people don’t have this trait called “resilience.” They are sensitive and easily brought to tears, and things that hurt them continue to hurt them for years.

You can’t make people be resilient. It’s a trait that, to a large extent, they are born with. Think about babies–some are placid little souls who have no problems being passed around the admiring relatives, and they seldom cry, and they sleep through a zumba class in the room next door, and they don’t startle easily and if Mom gives them water instead of juice, they drink it and don’t make a peep.

These babies are demonstrating resilience, and chances are good that they will continue to be easy-going and sanguine as they grow up.

But then there are those OTHER babies, who only allow 1.5 people to even touch them, let alone hold them, and they fuss and cry over the slightest change in their environment or food supply, and they don’t sleep unless there is absolute silence in the neighborhood for a five-mile radius.

These babies are demonstrating a lack of resilience, and chances are good that they will continue to be hyper-sensitive and touchy as they grow up, even if Mom and Dad work hard to help them be more flexible and resilient.

Just a note–I’m not saying that non-resilient people are “bad” or “inferior” or “damaged” in any way. There are all kinds of people, and resilient and non-resilient people are two kinds of people, both good and whole. Their resilience or lack of resilience makes them highly suitable for certain types of careers and callings in life.

But Jesus didn’t come to earth to talk to us about the fact that now He has come everything is hunky dory. He said just the opposite and to find peace. I think this resiliency you speak of isn’t a “relative” thing as you suggest above. That some have it and some don’t.

Quite the opposite. I have always believed that everyone has the ability to be that resilient person and if they aren’t “born” that way society doesn’t capitulate and perpetually cocoon them until they “come out of it” maybe in adulthood. We confront it and train them up.

John 16:33 RSVCE

33 I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 Douay Rheims

33 These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you shall have distress: but have confidence, I have overcome the world.

 

[child_of_God85]

But it obviously is doing him harm.

Also, I reject that notion that most parents think their children will turn out gay, I have 3 brothers all whom played dolls and barbies with me under zero protest from my parents. However, that doesn’t mean my parents would let my brothers subject themselves to being teased at 9 years old by allowing any of them to carry a Barbie backpack. It is the parents job to protect their child. Does the school have a responsibility in protecting children as well? Sure. But it starts at home with the parent. I blame the parents of both the victim and the bullies.

This idea that you can end bullying entirely is naive. That doesn’t mean we accept it or do nothing, but if you’re sending your child among the wolves prepare him.

Also, I’m really glad my husband does not own “plushies” I don’t even know what that is lol but it sounds like a major turn off.

Plushies are stuffed animals. And for me its incredibly endearing that he is confident enough to still enjoy toys. Guys that are too manly for thigs like that have no appeal to me at all.

 

[HoneyBea]

Plushies are stuffed animals. And for me its incredibly endearing that he is confident enough to still enjoy toys. Guys that are too manly for thigs like that have no appeal to me at all.

That’s understandable. Attractive qualities are subjective.

Although my husband does have an attachment to his Green Bay Packers ultra plush blanket or as I like to tease him his “blankie” lol

 

[St_Francis]

But Jesus didn’t come to earth to talk to us about the fact that now He has come everything is hunky dory. He said just the opposite and to find peace. I think this resiliency you speak of isn’t a “relative” thing as you suggest above. That some have it and some don’t.

Quite the opposite. I have always believed that everyone has the ability to be that resilient person and if they aren’t “born” that way society doesn’t capitulate and perpetually cocoon them until they “come out of it” maybe in adulthood. We confront it and train them up.

John 16:33 RSVCE

33 I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 Douay Rheims

33 These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you shall have distress: but have confidence, I have overcome the world.

I totally agree that if the schools could teach their students to be Catholic the schools would be a much better place

However, and you may not he meaning to do this, you seem to be somewhat blaming tye victim here, as well as ignoring the responsibility of those in charge to deal properly with kids who are bullying or otherwise behaving badly. Thos latter does not mean that kids who are not naturally resilient are being coddled and cocooned. It means that each individual student is being taught what he or she needs to learn.

 

[maryjk]

Some people have more resilience than others. You sound like one of those people. You get over things quicker, and you do not suffer long-term damage from it.

But many people don’t have this trait called “resilience.” They are sensitive and easily brought to tears, and things that hurt them continue to hurt them for years.

Step one, if you have a child like this? Don’t put him in situations like the parent did in the OP.

I know this because I have a very sensitive child.

Parents need to give their children the tools to grow.

Putting a My Little Pony bag on a 9 year old sensitive boy is just wrong. The parents needed to be parents and simply tell him “no.”

 

[ringil]

Yes. I asked my daughter (9)

Bronies are boys who like my little pony.

Girls who like my little pony are called, “Pegasisters”

Yes, and it’s a pretty good kids show.

I am a therapist and i am glad to see young males into this show.

Maybe CAF posters should check it out.

 

[ishii]

Yes, and it’s a pretty good kids show.

I am a therapist and i am glad to see young males into this show.

Maybe CAF posters should check it out.

I would not have been caught dead wearing a backpack from a girls tv show as a child. We live in an age in which liberal parents are trying to push some bizarre kind of androgeny on their kids. I think it’s abusive.

 

[Mary_Gail_36]

The child had a peculiar back pack.

The children, because of the back pack, called him names, hit and pushed him, and told him to kill himself. A bunch of 9 year olds.

So the school decided to ostracize the kid even more be forbidding his backpack.

I could understand a policy where back packs need to all conform to a standard set by the school (no characters, no logos etc).

I’m not sure why the bullies were not told, “Don’t pick on him! If you have nothing nice to say, please keep your mouth closed. If you hit, you go to the principal’s office”

It doesn’t have anything with it being androgynous or a girl toy. It had to with a kid being bullied.

We don’t tell kids to take off their glasses, to remove their braces, to not come to school if they have acne, to not bring odd lunches, to make sure they have brand named coats, make sure they have the latest electronic device, to ensure they don’t get teased.

Its surprising to me that a 9 year old could tell another child, “Go kill yourself” over a backpack, and not get expelled or suspended.

Just ignore the back pack. Why is it anyone’s concern over a class mates back pack.

What happens to the little girl who has a superman back pack?

 

[Just_Lurking]

Why is it anyone’s concern over a class mates back pack.

Maybe the bullies’ parents wouldn’t let them have any My Little Pony toys, and the bullies are taking out their frustration on the one boy whose parents weren’t so mortified with boys playing with “girl’s” toys.

Either that, or the bullies are just psychopaths who enjoy picking on other kids whenever they can find any kind of excuse to do so.