A Case for Bare Feet
4. Conclusion
Barefooters are ordinary people who just so
happen to like to go barefoot. In addition to being simply comfortable and fun,
going barefoot is natural and healthy. Having bare feet is not against any law
or health department regulation, hence there is no compelling reason to
discriminate against bare feet and, furthermore, we believe such discrimination
to be illegal. The authors find it incredible that there is so much
misinformation and myth about bare feet, more so than any other body parts.
Robbins, et al, in [24],
stated:
Barefoot activity when practical (no need for thermal
insulation; no risk of crush injuries; social acceptability) deserves
consideration since plantar sensory mediated protective adaptations seem
optimized for this condition. Although this may run counter to notions
prevalent in economically advanced countries recounting dangers of barefoot
activity and necessity of footwear even when barefoot activity is feasible,
supporting data are lacking, and many have concluded that footwear design is
guided by fashion rather than health considerations.
It's
interesting that "social acceptability" was mentioned. This is precisely what
this paper is about: Trying to make bare feet socially acceptable to regain the
freedom our parents and grandparents had to go barefoot anywhere. We do this for
ourselves and our children.
Last updated: November 28,
1997
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