'Sex' bracelets concern
Coloured wristbands have sparked outrage across Wigan.
The thin, brightly coloured bands, which are worn by children and teenagers, have caused controversy through their link to sexual activity.
In previous years rumours circulated that if the wearer snaps their band, they must engage in sexual activity.
But in their latest comeback, the bracelets, known as Snagbands, have a new hidden meaning – each band has its own sex act assigned to them, dependant on colour.
And with the new digital age, youngsters can access Facebook groups which list meanings, including purple for a kiss, yellow for a hug, orange for a lovebite, and others too explicit to print.
Children as young as seven have joined the groups and post messages about snapping the bands.
Several shops in Wigan innocently stock the bands, under the name of Gummie Bands, intended for fashion wear.
But Hyde's Toys and Gifts, based in Bradley Hall Industrial Estate, Standish, has stopped selling the bracelets after the owner, Gerry Hyde, received complaints and found out the true meaning.
Mr Hyde said: "A headmaster rang me last week and they explained their connotations and what these bands were meaning to the children.
"When we bought them, as far as we were concerned, they were snagbands.
"Having looked at it, you could interpret the 'n' as a 'h'.
"I can understand the parents' concerns and that's why I have
withdrawn them."
Wigan Council's Conservative leader, Coun Michael Winstanley, is a governor at two Orrell schools and said it was a worrying message for youngsters.
He said: "I have not heard anything in terms of the schools I am involved in.
"But, overall, this is a worrying trend in our high schools and potentially primary schools as well.
"I think it does send out totally the wrong message to children.
"In terms of preventing teenage pregnancy we need to encourage children not to take part in these kinds of activities before they are ready."
Schools across the borough do not allow the bands as they go against school uniform rules, but there are also concerns about the sexual messages they convey.
Paul Eyes, deputy headteacher of Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, said: "We heard a whisper that these bands had implicit sexual connotations.
"So we spoke to the children in an assembly about the craze and we warned them that they are inappropriate.
"And that was the end of it.
"It hasn't been an issue because we got it early.
"We set out to educate the kids the best we can in Catholic tradition and we have no place for anything like that in our school."
Hugh Crossan, headteacher of Standish High School, said: "We don't allow wrist jewellery in school.
"Outside of school, it is down to the individual children and parents."
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Weather for Wigan
Thursday 02 September 2010
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Temperature: 8 C to 22 C
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