was i wrong?

Question

I let my two kids go the yankee game barefoot yesterday we took the bus from new jersey and we took the subway to the game they were not the only kids barefoot we saw one other kid barefoot since my kids do not wear shoes unless it is school. they are always barefoot

Answer 1

You are a far better parent than all those people who believe in myths and unfounded fears of every little germ their children may encounter, and who give in to social pressure based on such unfounded beliefs. Contrary to those myths, going barefoot is quite healthy, even in a city environment.

Disease is unlikely unless they put their feet on the table or lick their toes... our skin is made to keep pathogens out, and we're at far greater risk of picking something up through our hands. Dirt from the ground may be more visible, but with our hands we touch surfaces touched by many other people; door knobs, railings, shopping carts, etc, and pick up the far less visible but no less germy dirt from those... then we're far more likely to transfer those germs to our faces or food, where they can enter our body. On our feet, it may *look* dirty, but the dirt will just sit there until we wash it off.

My own experience is I get sick far, far less since going barefoot; I used to be sickly from early fall until late spring, coughing and sneezing no matter what I tried, but these past ten years I've called in sick once (for two days) and even a minor cough is rare. Also, no doctor has ever had a problem with my bare feet and -not for me but accompanying my mom- I've unfortunately met dozens these past years... so should I take the word of store managers or doctors & surgeons about the dangers of bare feet?

Parasites are unlikely too; far most only enter the body by ingestion, the hookworm that can enter through the skin has been pretty much eradicated from the South since modern plumbing has replaced the outhouses and never was a problem in cooler climates.

Injury is unlikely; feet get very tough very quickly. I go barefoot everywhere, never divert my step no matter how much glass I see and I get a tiny splinter maybe once a year, never had a cut. In the unlikely case of an injury, they should have their Tetanus vaccinations up to date, but any active kid (or adult) should have that... there are other ways of catching it apart from stepping on a rusty nail barefoot.

About social pressures; please dare to be different! People who wear alternative dress make the world more interesting, imagine we'd all wear the same fashion clothes... Teach your children to accept people who prefer to look different, rather than to 'dress for success'; the first is a much more important lesson to learn if you ask me... don't raise them to become judgmental like some of the posters in this thread, and teach them to do some true research rather than getting their health education from the (false) signs on store windows!

Answer 2

Well, I wouldn't let MY kids run around barefoot in New Jersey / New York !! I'm surprised that the officials at the game let the kids in !!

In the Philippines, my kids DO run around barefoot on the farm... shoes are for town and school and church.

Answer 3

I can not for one minute tell you how to raise your children. I can however give you my opinion. I would say you were wrong allowing them to go to a Yankee's game barefooted. Its one thing to go barefoot around the house but, to travel and be in public isn't healthy, nor acceptable.
Yes there are danger and germs around the house, but to travel barefoot on a subway and walk around Yankee stadium barefoot is asking for health problems. Yes you may get away with it a time or two, but eventually it will catch up to you.

Answer 4

Bad news.

Running around the house or through the sprinklers barefoot in summer is fine. But, what people don't understand is, if you come into contact with ANY electrical source, you're a perfect path to ground, and you're going to get electrocuted.

Barefoot activities at lakes, marinas, rivers, etc., may well result in severed tendons (from broken glass), nasty cuts or a mere fish hood in the foot.

Put shoes on 'em.

"Get it?"

Answer 5

I wouldn't suggest you have your children be barefoot in public areas. There are many dangers out there. Even though you have every right to have your children go barefoot I wouldn't recomend it

-Toula

Answer 6

Why don't your children wear shoes? You should protect their feet, especially on the Subway. I have never heard of a child who doesn't wear shoes before!

Answer 7

Its just common sense to where shoes, like clothes they protect us from cold and hot weather, prevent us from injuring ourselves and helps keep our body clean and from disease.
R U telling me that U trust the public to be totally responsible and not litter or leave broken glass etc. on the streets - get them some shoes.

Answer 8

Reasons to wear somthing under foot.
Protection from sharp objects, needles, broken glass etc.
Protection from Varuuca etc.

They are your children, it is up to you to do what you think is in their best interests.

Barefoot, will harden the feet, so a good idea in the right circumstances.

Answer 9

Yeah, it's wrong. Shoes are to protect their feet, and hygiene. It would be the same as sending them out in freezing weather with no coat.

Answer 10

Problem is simple--a cut from glass or whatever will get infected very easily--I mean who knows what is on the streets and sidewalks of NYC