Is it normal that my son wants to go barefoot

It's ridiculous that we have a hang-up about it. I'm much happier barefoot yet I don't feel I could walk around the city that way. If I'm at the seaside, though, plenty of people (including me) are barefoot all day (on all surfaces). I don't get why being within a mile of the sea should make a difference.

Depending where you live, your son may draw looks. I guess it depends on what else he wears. If he's dressed very casually (shorts, T-shirt) maybe people just won't notice. It'd look more out of place for me, wearing a business suit.

Maybe I know a lot of hippies, but being barefoot outside it very normal. And they aren't walking around with more foot problems than those with shoes.

Although my friends mom once scolded me for walking in the grass barefoot. I have no idea why she feared her lawn so much.

I walked around barefoot as a child and kid, you're just afraid that he will catch something or hurt himself and that is normal, as long as you don't live in a slum I don't see the problem just tell him to be careful not to step on glass or by a dumpster.

I wish I had gone barefoot more as a child, my feet are now soft and weak and I hurt them when I try to go barefoot.

Of course it is. Shoes are uncomfortable and I prefer being barefoot myself but I do have a favourite type of shoe I like.

I remember a holiday in the Dominican Republic where I got terrible sunburns everywhere including my feet so I decided to just walk barefoot (shoes were too painful) since many poor kids there do it too but the locals were still looking at me in disbelief lol.

it's quite common in italy, it's actualy good for your feet, especialy if he is flat footed. shoure let him doo it,
I go walking on my local cyclepath bare-foot when it's hot.

I go bare foot when ever I can . I leave a set of shoes in the car after getting to the store and realizing I'm barefoot too many times. as for cutting your foot , when your barefoot you usually will feel something sharp before you put all your weight down and stop before it breaks the skin . I stepping on nails three times with shoes on and didn't feel it till it was in my foot . If I step in any thing nasty I know right then not later when I track it in to my car or home like happens with shoes . Funny how some ppl are freaked out by someone coming into their home barefoot , but shoes that have been in the same places are ok .

Better that, than BareBack!

I don't know what to think about this.

They're some groups of people like hippies or indigenous cultures that walk around barefoot and it's fine. However, the ground can be dangerous. If he goes barefoot he won't have any added protection for his feet, they could get cut and he could be infected with something. A shoe provides the wearer with protection against all sorts of things. For his safety he should wear them. Is he a kid or a man? Sadly, society may look down on you if you let your kid go barefoot outside. Going barefoot is okay for the beach or at home. Another thing to look at is whether or not his footwear is comfortable enough. If this is the case try to find him more comfier shoes. If this isn't the case, suggest that he wears sandals. Protection for the feet isn't very great whilst wearing sandals, but it's better than nothing.

Walking barefoot is fine until he steps on a nail or some glass...but they have to learn that on their own. As a kid I walked barefoot outside a couple of times but I lived out in floresville and we had shitloads of stickers in the yard so after pulling the third one out of my foot I was like "fuck that wheres my shoes?"

No harm to it, I'm trying to go barefoot more often to build up the callouses. People might say things, but so what? It's not unhealthy, and shoes *can* cause problems, not saying that's commonplace.

let him walk barefoot but when he cuts his foot tell him this is why you wear shoes or be more careful simple :) I never wear shoes unless in public places

its normal just let him do that is more fine if he does it now people will take him as a naught child but what if he grows up and then fullfills his desire then people will more laugh at him... is your child imp to you or the reputation... tell him he is allowed but only at home or any other safe boundry like near the home.... or take him to sea sides or parks full of soft grass where he can do it and not even harm his feat .... buy him an easy and comfortable pair of shoes may be he is not comfy with those he has and thats why want not to where shoes...

He could cut his foot and get an infection or something. Shoes should be worn outdoors unless you're at the beach. They're for his protection.