From the memorable pink ribbon to the “Save the Ta-tas” shirts, breast cancer awareness is something that Americans have been concerned with for some time. But the recent “I heart boobies” bracelets have caused some people to take offense.
The “I heart boobies” bracelets are a popular item targeting kids and teens.
They are available at concerts like Warped Tour, or online and even in doctors’ offices.
October is National Breast Cancer Month, and people are going to do anything that they can to get the word out about breast cancer. These bracelets’ growing popularity has caused them to be a common sight on campus. However, because of the terminology used, teachers are complaining. Kids are being asked to turn the bracelets inside out or take them off completely so that the words of the bracelet can not be seen.
One Rocklin High School student wore the bracelet to school and got a bad result. He was told to take it off during a PE class and was offended because he wore it to support his grandmother who died of cancer. It was his mother who bought it for him at a doctor’s office in the first place. He wore it to support cancer, not because the bracelet said “boobies”.
“I think that’s stupid because they aren’t offensive. They’re for breast cancer,” stated Placer sophomore Karlee Sprowl
Many teens are supportive of the bracelets because they either support breast cancer or they think the bracelets are fun. But, some students, such as junior Vanessa Godfrey, think that the word “boobies” is inappropriate, offensive and unnecessary.
“The only reason I’m against them is because they are offensive, and they are getting off on shock value,” said Vanessa. She’s for the cause, but doesn’t think the word “boobies” is totally necessary.
Some students who are against the bracelets think they are getting attention for the wrong reasons; they think it should be about the awareness, not the words on the bracelet.
The teens that support the bracelets like them for their features, the cause and what they represent.
“I think that they are totally awesome and they support something really good,” said junior Georgie Godfrey.
She likes the fact that she can support the cause and have fun while doing it. Some wear the bracelets because they know someone who has or had breast cancer and others because they are good conversation starters. Many that are for the bracelets don’t understand how they are offensive because it’s just a silly word to throw around.
Junior Nathan Bonner is all for awareness, but likes to keep it old school.
“Personally I take it to heart. If you want to wear it to just wear it then it’s pointless. You’re missing the whole meaning. Pink is the color for breast cancer awareness. But people get offended. But to me, I don’t care. I like to wear the real thing: the pink bracelet.”