Barefoot Boys: Chronology


Figure 1.--.

During the 19th century and into the first half of the 20th century it was very common for boys and even girls to go barefoot. This included both play and school. Here the cost of shoes surely was a factor for many families. Another facror was that 19th century footwear was often not very comfortable. Trends can clearly be seen in school portraits after photography made it possible to make an expensive record of school classes. A good example is the American children at the Turkey Creek School in 1913. We even notice boys having formal portraits taken barefoot. This was especially common in the summer and in areas like the south of the United States and southern Europe. This is largely forgotton, by Hollywood. One sees very few children barefoot in films and television that is set during this period of time. We note after crises such as wars that more children go barefoot because of the economic dislocations. Chronological patterns varied from country to country because of living standards, climate, and other factors.

The 18th Century


The 19th Century

During the 19th century and into the first half of the 20th century it was very common for boys and even girls to go barefoot. This included both play and school. Here the cost of shoes surely was a factor for many families. Another facror was that 19th century footwear was often not very comfortable. Trends can clearly be seen in school portraits after photography made it possible to make an expensive record of school classes beginning in the 19th century.

The 20th Century

School potraits in the 20th century leave us a goof indication of how common going barefoot was. A good example is the American children at the Turkey Creek School in 1913. We even notice boys having formal portraits taken barefoot. This was especially common in the summer and in areas like the south of the United States and southern Europe. This is largely forgotton, by Hollywood. One sees very few children barefoot in films and television that is set during this period of time. We note many children going barefoot after World war I and II. A reader writes, "Several of your recent pages have included school photos of post War children in Europe without footwear. I am inclinded to the view that this will have been in some part due to shortages and poverty, but remember that a family would always ensure ther child was a s best turned out as possible if they knew a photo was to be taken (just as happens nowadays when formal pictures are announced). "





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Created: 12:40 AM 6/4/2007
Last updated: 12:40 AM 6/4/2007