Why Was This Outfit Considered Inappropriate On World Book Day?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2982244/Boy-11-excluded-school-turning-World-Book-Day-dressed-character-erotic-novel-Fifty-Shades-Grey.html

Personally I think the young man sets a dashing figure, and once upon a time most schoolboys dressed this way for school, except for the long pants.

[sandyRoe]

Anyway, after The Story of O isn't 50 shades just a wan imitation?

[andy-hughes]

naval // So are you saying Andy Hughes that you would not have a problem with this childs choice of costume if he had not had the cable ties and eyemask, and had only said he was Mr Grey? //

No I am not saying that.

On World Book Day, children in some schools are invited to dress up as a book character that they like.

If a child turned up as a character in an adult S & M novel, I would think it inappropriate - it is the character reference that is wrong, the 'accessories' simply add to the whole creepy scenario.

I would be equally unhappy if an eleven-year-old turned up in a clown outfit, and then advised that he was 'It' in the Stephen King novel of that name - who, for those who are not fans, makes his entrance by tearing the arm off a child.

It's not all about the costume, but it is all about the context.

[Gromit]

At first I questioned the idiot patent(s) who let their 11 year old read pornographic novels.
Then I realised they were being clever, because the boy will learn very early, how dire this type of book is.
So well done the parent(s).

[naomi24]

The children here were asked to dress as a character from a book that has been made into a film. I would hope that most chose a book they’d read – and hopefully that wouldn’t be Fifty Shades of Grey. For an 11 year old the costume was inappropriate – and even more inappropriate at a school event.

[mikey4444]

Right on the button Naomi !

[naomi24]

Thank you, Mikey.

[mikey4444]

You see....we DO agree sometimes Naomi ! :)

[andy-hughes]

I second mikey's endorsement.

That is additional info of which I was not aware - it merely strengthens my argument against the judgement of this woman as a parent, and as a primary teacher, and her 'sense of humour'.

[naomi24]

I've noticed. ;o)

[naomi24]

^That was to Mikey.

[Mamyalynne]

If the Mother (who is reported to be a primary teacher) can only think of Mr Grey as a book character who wears a suit , she shows a significant lack of imagination.

[andy-hughes]

She could have sent him in the same suit (without the extras!) and said he was Emil from Emil And The Detectives.

[anotheoldgit]

andy-hughes

/// And Christian Grey is a book character - your point is? ///

Do try not to be so aggressive Andy.

It was yourself that brought the film version into the debate.

[jd_1984]

I personally see no harm.
But the suit is from a film which deals with psychosexual behaviour and violent sexual acts. As a teacher you have to think, how is the child going to explain the outfit. Is it more for the adults amusement?
On one hand its a child in a sharp looking suit, he could be any number of characters. But to specifically be kitted out as Mr Grey for a school event....... Can see the point being made

[mikey4444]

According to the interview I heard this morning, it was the boys idea to dress up as the character, so my point is.....where does an 11 year old get the idea to dress up as a character from a book that he shouldn't be aware of in the first place ?

Could he perhaps, have seen the book somewhere....lets just say, for instance, around his own house ? If that was the case, was it a good idea to leave such a book around for a young boy to see ?

My Mum was an avid Agatha Christie fan, and her books were all over the house, but I suppose that isn't the same sort of thing.

And A J Cronin.

I remember when I was about 13, someone had a copy of a rather shabby and well-thumbed "Lady Chatterleys Lover" in the school playground, and I couldn't help noticing, that if you dropped the book on the ground, it always landed open at the same page ! I can't imagine why !

[andy-hughes]

AOG - AOG - //Question Author

andy-hughes

/// And Christian Grey is a book character - your point is? ///

Do try not to be so aggressive Andy. - Apologies, no aggression intended.

It was yourself that brought the film version into the debate.//

I did so because the point I was answering concerned James Bond - I was making the point that Bond films are certificated as suitable for older children, and are shown on TV regularly. Fifty Shades is an adult film, and certificated accordingly.

[andy-hughes]

jd_1984 - //I personally see no harm.//

Really? OK then.

[anotheoldgit]

mikey4444

/// According to the interview I heard this morning, it was the boys idea to dress up as the character, so my point is.....where does an 11 year old get the idea to dress up as a character from a book that he shouldn't be aware of in the first place ? ///

Shouldn't be aware of mikey? Given all the publicity this book and film has had, I don't think there are many people who are not aware of it.

/// Could he perhaps, have seen the book somewhere....lets just say, for instance, around his own house ? If that was the case, was it a good idea to leave such a book around for a young boy to see ? ///

He most likely saw the book at school, after all didn't you say that during your school days, there was a rather well thumbed copy of "Lady Chatterleys Lover" doing the rounds?

[jd_1984]

andy-hughes
I should have made that point clearer - I see no harm in his attire (young man in a fancy suit without reference to 50 shades), but I have gone on to explain how what it represents is wrong and the teachers had no choice in how they reacted.