Back in the olden days of the 1990s, there was only one way to be cool at school and that was to wear your backpack over one shoulder, no matter how many 30 pound math books you had to take home.
But as time marches on and reckless, unsafe behavior becomes less and less trendy, Oregon lawmakers are trying to pass a resolution which “Directs Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction to communicate to school districts information regarding backpack safety.”
Kids these days get everything handed to them, even a life without back pain.
The resolution, Senate Joint Resolution 6, issues dire warnings about the dangers of backpacks to children.
“According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 7,000 emergency room visits each year are due to backpack-related injuries,” it reads, “and, in 2010 alone, physicians’ offices, clinics and hospital emergency rooms treated nearly 28,000 strains, sprains, dislocations and fractures related to backpacks.”
“The Global Burden of Disease Study of 2010 showed back pain as the number one cause of disability worldwide,” it continues, “and musculoskeletal disorders as the number two cause.”
The resolution was forwarded on for consideration by the Senate Interim Committee On Education, headed by Sen. Arnie Roblan (D-Coos Bay), a former principal at Marshfield High School.
While it doesn’t change any laws or amend the constitution, it recommends that administrators educate teachers, parents and students about the dangers of heavy backpacks and take steps to reduce weight of backpacks.
Also, breaking the hearts of ’90s kids everywhere, it reads, “Parents and teachers should instruct students to wear both shoulder straps and not to sling the backpack over one shoulder.”
The resolution is still in the Senate. We’ve reached out to Sen. Roblan and will update this post if he responds.
— Lizzy Acker
503-221-8052
lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker
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