Barefoot Children

RadoJo

Person_one wrote: »

Annoyingly I can't find the link I'm looking for, there are lots of conflicting non-reputable ones but I'm sure I saw something on the BBC a few years back. It was about how the impact on concrete etc. is bad for feet, shins and knees but that if we hadn't tarmaced and concreted everywhere barefoot would be better.

I believe that is true when it comes to jogging/running, but have never heard that in relation to just walking around. After all, we evolved our feet walking on a variety of surfaces, admittedly not paving stones, but plenty of rocks, stones and impacted mud which wouldn't be softer than tarmac. Unless you clump along like a heffalump that is...;)

JoJoB

It's a load of rubbish about 30-40 quid for a pair of shoes. Even if they insist on Clarks you just get your kids sized in the shop then buy them for less than a fiver on ebay.

They are just being stupid and neglectful.

MERFE

Just to add to the thread my daughter went barefoot to play with her friend who lives down the road yesterday. Her friend came up first to play outside our house but then her mum wanted her to go back where she could keep an eye (they are only 5), she was also barefoot. My daughter ran back and forward from the two houses several times with nothing on her feet and no complaints, obviously she had a bath striaght after dinner.

I walked back from my daughters school barefoot at the beginning of the summer, not through choice though my shoes broke Its always the best pairs as well. I think a little running round with no shoes on toughens their feet a little. My OH can't even walk on a stoney beach in his trainers whereas I'll take my shoes off and run across it.

Molly41

Playing in the garden or on the beach is fine. However its so easy to fit shoes - check width and length. My son has very narrow feet with a long toe and I have found that the cheaper shoes actually fit him better. Common sense really!

poppyolivia

there IS a difference though from being on the beach barefoot and being up the town!..there is no need for it at all...I think its neglect, poor kids!:(
Nothing is stopping them not wearing shoes in their garden but to go out in front of people barefoot??..ok if you are an adult and that floats your boat but to make your kids do it while shopping in tesco or whatever is mad! I just honestly can't see your friends thinking!

PrincessPlaty

Seriously where the hell is this neglect coming from? Are the children being forced to go barefeet? Or are they choosing to and having fun without having their feet restricted?

I grew up walking about in barefeet everywhere and i still do it in most places now! Didnt do me any harm and has was said before you learn to watch where you walk!!!

I have spent the past week gallivanting all over london with he kids, i spent the whole time telling my DD2 to put her shoes on. She will be 4 tomorrow and she loves nothing more than running about without being restricted by shoes.

There is nothing neglectful about it.

chloe99_2

What utter rubbish that anyone can be so poor in this country (excepting very exceptional circumstances) that they cant afford shoes for their kids!!! They are being over dramatic and obviously prefer to spend their money on petrol, trips, newspapers, tv licence, sky etc etc

alwaysonthego_2

peachyprice wrote: »

Oh I don't know, I think it's pretty p!key.
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I think you may mean Irish Traveller, the term you use is deogrative.

Bitsy_Beans

PrincessPlaty wrote: »

Seriously where the hell is this neglect coming from? Are the children being forced to go barefeet? Or are they choosing to and having fun without having their feet restricted?

I grew up walking about in barefeet everywhere and i still do it in most places now! Didnt do me any harm and has was said before you learn to watch where you walk!!!

I have spent the past week gallivanting all over london with he kids, i spent the whole time telling my DD2 to put her shoes on. She will be 4 tomorrow and she loves nothing more than running about without being restricted by shoes.

There is nothing neglectful about it.

Well OP suggests parents won't buy shoes because they can't afford to spend £40 on them. That doesn't sound like the child is choosing NOT to wear the shoes - she isn't even being given the choice, unlike your daughter who has shoes but doesn't want to wear them.

I confess I walked across Brum city centre a number of times barefoot due to either being a hurry (4 inch heels are not condusive to fast walking ) or my feet killing me from wearing said 4 inch heels on a night out. It wasn't that bad (and this was winter :eek:) but not something I'd do on a regular basis. The reason stepping on gravel hurts is because our feet aren't used to it, I imagine those that went barefoot more often have tougher skin.
I have no objection to it in countryside etc but having seen glass strewn all over the floor (and miniscule slivers aren't always immediately noticiable) I wouldn't encourage my children to do this in some parts of the city.

I think they key thing to this argument is choice. The parents are not giving a choice to their daughter. For those of you who went barefoot were you forced to or was it by choice?

Violetta_2

alwaysonthego wrote: »

I think you may mean Irish Traveller, the term you use is deogrative.

Sorry , think you mean derogatory.:o