I used to always call it the "pussy pad." A few weeks ago I introduced my little brother to the world of weight training. I was helping him with squats for the first time and kept complaining about how the bar hurt his shoulders. I kept telling him to deal with the pain, that he was just being a wus and that squats were the measure of a man. But after I got to really paying attention (my brother is pretty skinny) he has absolutely no traps...I think the bar was digging into his spine pretty hard so I let him use the thinnest pad the gym had.
So it's probably a worthwhile item for beginners in situations like that, but be assured that as soon as he develops some meat on his shoulders, it's raw iron for him just like his brother.
BTW...I still call it a "pussy pad."
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Backstage, '75 Olympia:
Serge Nubret, "I look like I can take you."
Arnold, "Keep looking."