Backpacks are better than purses.

I will start with my the Instigator's first premise. "I think they are frivolous and a waste of money. Many women carry purses as a fashion statement and spend more on a new purse than their car payment (ex. Coach brand)." FIRST ARGUMENT: Let us begin with if purses are frivolous: Definition of "frivolous": 1. characterized by lack of seriousness or sense: frivolous conduct. 2. self-indulgently carefree; unconcerned about or lacking any serious purpose. 3. (of a person) given to trifling or undue levity: a frivolous, empty-headed person. 4. of little or no weight, worth, or importance; not worthy of serious notice: a frivolous suggestion. So my opponent is saying that purses are not serious. Let us use an example for this. In the business realm, you will not be taken seriously if you do not show up in business wear (Example: blouse, blazer, pencil skirt possibly, etc). If you show up in a t-shirt and jeans, no one will believe you are taking your work seriously. Backpacks are associated with students, travelers, and hikers. None of which are very serious things to be doing (like going to an orchestra or going to work or dinner). Let me expand on why fashion matters for seriousness now: (examples from Maureen Costello of imageoftheactuary.org: Full article:http://www.imageoftheactuary.org... ) Examples of how fashion shows your seriousness: The Gen X-er who is a brain trust of ideas at work but presents herself in such a disheveled manner that her clients wonder if her work might be the same. The team manager who has uniformed employees reporting to her, but chooses to dress in inappropriately provocative clothing. The successful and well-respected international executive whose credibility is diminished by his low quality, ill-fitting suits. Costello goes on to say: "Although we don't like to think that appearances matter, the fact remains that people react to us based on their perceptions. Using the visual signals we put out there, people make assumptions about your competence, personality, habits, tastes, social life and friends. Research shows that people are more likely to hire, promote and do business with us if we look the part. In fact, managing our personal presentation can be an effective leadership tool, like negotiation or strategic thinking. People make decisions about us based on their first impressions, so it's important to get the personal packaging right. Learning to visually express who you are—highlighting specific characteristics through wardrobe, fit, color and quality—can positively impact your career. By the same token, presenting a less-than-professional image can prevent you from accomplishing your career goals." Purses show maturity and seriousness just as a blazer would. SECOND ARGUMENT: Let us expand on my opponent's statement that, "Many women carry purses as a fashion statement and spend more on a new purse than their car payment (ex. Coach brand)." As we have mentioned before, fashion statements are not bad. They help us develop an image that shows our personality (it's like a sign we hold that represents who we are.) Style has even changed into a very mature trend amongst young adults and teenagers (older adults were always known to stick to this more mature trend). Instead of being flashy and skin showing, our trend now is geared heavily towards ladylike apparel; pencil skirts, blouses, tweed jackets, round toed shoes. So, making a fashion statement is not an evil if it helps the individual advance themselves. As for people spending more money on Coach peruses than they need to or using that money for said purse instead of their car payment, I do have a reply. If a woman decides to buy a purse instead of pay her car payment, that is her personal problem with finances. Just like a woman could buy a backpack or a book instead of lunch. As for spending more money on brand names than other names, that is because of the better material, image (brand names carry more seriousness to them than a Wall mart brand might), and better construction. THIRD ARGUMENT: My opponent says, "I say just use a backpack. They are more practical and you can carry books around which will give you something to pass time if you get stuck somewhere." I see women carry paper-back novels in their purses all the time. Because my opponent stated that you can't carry a book in a purse to pass the time, she must not realize that purses come in all sizes. If you wish to have a purse that can carry you 20 novels at a time, get yourself a tote. Tote – a bag inspired by a shopping bag, which is sturdy and rectangular with an open top and two strap handles. The inside may have zip compartments. If you want to go to the theatre and only need to bring your make-up along instead of lugging an ugly backpack that clashes with your outfit, you could try a clutch. Clutch – a bag with no handles that must be carried clasped in one hand or under the arm. These are just two examples of many, many different kinds of purses out there. As for saying a backpack is practical, I hope I explained to you one such situation in the writing above in which it is not: When you don't need to carry that many items. FINAL ARGUMENT: My opponent's last comment was, "Plus you don't need a closet full to match your outfits. One for all works just fine!" I hope I have explained how backpacks don't work for all situations with the above comments. So I will just argue her, "Plus you don't need a closet full to match your outfits." You can always buy a solid colour purse that matches all of your outfits (like black or possibly white). You don't need many, and a medium sized purse usually suites most occasions (unlike a huge backpack). FINAL WORDS: I will gladly debate any reasoning my opponent has to any of my statements. If there are any loose ends to any of my statements that need clearing up for my opponent, I will be more than happy to do so in my next argument as well. Cheers, Vi