What is that hook for?

I learned something this morning. The TV people were actually talking about the best place for a young child to do their homework -- at the study desk in their room, a folding table in the living room, or perhaps in the dining room with mom? Along the way, they happened to mention what happens when the child comes home. Apparently in most cases, they hang up their randoseru (rah-n-do-seh-rue) on the sturdy hook on the side of the study desk in their room. I had seen these hooks before, but never knew what they were for. Now it sort of makes sense to me. I've also seen these hooks on desks in schools.

I should explain what a randoseru is, though. Basically, it's a fairly sturdy leather backpack specifically carried by elementary school students in Japan. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randoseru says the name is borrowed from the Dutch, about 200 years ago. Girls carry red ones, boys carry black ones, although they now come in a rainbow of colors.

So a child comes home from school, hangs up their bookbag on their study desk, and then goes to do their homework. According to the study the TV people were talking about, the best place for the kids to do their homework is in the dining room with mom. Apparently video studies show that kids at the study desk often get sidetracked reading manga, in the living room they just give up and take a nap, but in the dining room with mom, even though they may talk with her, they stay focused on their homework.

And now I know what that hook on the sides of desks in schools and homes is for. To hang up your randoseru.