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Children going barefoot to school today is generally been seen as an indicator of poverty. This was not always the case. It was certainly very common when the first public schoos were founded in the German states and America. This is a little difficult to follow before the invention of photography. Commercial photohraphy was invented in France (1839), but we do not begin to see large numbers of school portaits until dcades later (1890s). As countries in Europe and America industrialized, we see wage increasing giving families the ability to dress children well dor school. Thus we see an increasing number of children wearing shoes to school. And this has largely been the case in most countries and over time. Generally in England, France, and Germany it was poor working-class children we see going barefoot. In rural areas children tended to come to school barefoot, including children from families that could aford footwear. Econonimic events could affect this as shoes were the most expensive schoolwear item andunlike other items were otional, except in cold weather. In Germany we see many children going barefoot after in the difficult times after World War I and II, more than were commn in more prosperous times. Trends in America wee similar to Europe. An important difference was that wages were higher in America compared to Europe (which is why so mamy emigrants chose America) and most children in urban areas came to school with shoes. We note, however, that some children in rural areas went barefoot, many out of preference althogh this is difficult to assess. Here there were regional differences. In the Southern states we see children going barefoot when the weather warms up at the end of the school year and not just in rural areas. This ended afterWorld War II when schools began requiring footwear. We note a lot of children in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa going barefoot without any suggestion of poverty. Some South African schools even promote it. African children commonly come to school barefoot, but this is generally an indication of poverty. India and Sri Lnka are more varied. Poverty is a factor, but some children in South Asia prefer to go barefoot. Over time with increasing affluence, fewer children come to school barefoot, but there are still many countries where children come to school barefoot. Flip-flops are common in many poorer countries. This is particularly the case in Africa because if continuing endemic poverty. But there are still a few countries that children come to school barefoot out of preference (New Zealand and South Africa). Today in Europe few children come to school barefoot. There is an exception in some German-speaking Swiss Cantons. Here we see some children in rural areas coming to school barefoot out of preference.
Children going barefoot to school today is generally been seen as an indicator of poverty. This was not always the case. It was certainly very common when the first public schoos were founded in the German states and America. This is a little difficult to follow before the invention of photography. Commercial photohraphy was invented in France (1839), but we do not begin to see large numbers of school portaits until dcades later (1890s). As countries in Europe and America industrialized, we see wage increasing giving families the ability to dress children well dor school. Thus we see an increasing number of children wearing shoes to school. And this has largely been the case in most countries and over time. Generally in England, France, and Germany it was poor working-class children we see going barefoot. In rural areas children tended to come to school barefoot, including children from families that could aford footwear.
Econonimic events could affect this as shoes were the most expensive schoolwear item andunlike other items were otional, except in cold weather. In Germany we see many children going barefoot after in the difficult times after World War I and II, more than were commn in moreprosperous times.
We note many differences in country around the world as to coming to chool barefoot. Trends in America wee similar to Europe. An important difference was that wages were higher in America compared to Europe (which is why so mamy emigrants chose America) and most children in urban areas came to school with shoes. We note, however, that some children in rural areas went barefoot, many out of preference althogh this is difficult to assess. Here there were regional differences. In the Southern states we see children going barefoot when the weather warms up at the end of the school year and not just in rural areas. This ended afterWorld War II when schools began requiring footwear. We note a lot of children in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa going barefoot without any suggestion of poverty. Some South African schools even promote it. African children commonly come to school barefoot, but this is generally an indication of poverty. India and Sri Lnka are more varied. Poverty is a factor, but some children in South Asia prefer to go barefoot. Over time with increasing affluence, fewer children come to school barefoot, but there are still many countries where children come to school barefoot. Flip-flops are common in many poorer countries. This is particularly the case in Africa because if continuing endemic poverty. But there are still a few countries that children come to school barefoot out of preference (New Zealand and South Africa). Today in Europe few children come to school barefoot. There is an exception in some German-speaking Swiss Cantons. Thechildren here are an example of this (figure 1). Here we see some children in rural areas coming to school barefoot out of preference.
We notice differences of opinion as to health and safety isues. One source writes, "Nothing says summer more than kids running around barefoot, but is it safe for little feet? For the most part, it's safe to be barefoot in the backyard or the pool, but there are potential hazards, says Dr. Margaret Turner from Annapolis Pediatrics. 'Burns, impaled objects and, in some settings, fungal infections are a few of the health concerns we think about with children playing barefoot," says Katie Fearon, a nurse practitioner at Bayside Pediatrics in Annapolis. "It's very important for parents to use their discretion for if, where and when they allow their kids to go without shoes." .... If you are unsure of the terrain, it is always better to wear shoes with a good sole." Other sources maintain that there are many health benefits for children going barefoot, at least in good weather. Educators in a few affluent countries allow children to come to school barefoot. Some schools in Soyh Sfrica even encourage it. In America a factor is litigation. Educators are afaid of law suits if children injure themselves at school.
Stein, Betsy. "Children's health tips and News: Tips for barefoot safety for kids," Cheapeake Family
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Created: 5:50 PM 3/23/2009
Last updated: 12:54 PM 7/10/2015
