Did I give the right advice to my neighbor?

My next-door neighbor is a 40 something single Mom who is friends with my Mom.This woman only child is her 12-year old daughter.Of course,Ive met her.Shes a really pretty girl and she seems like shes nice.According to her Mom,the girl has gotten unto a "phase"where she insists on running around in her bare feet everywhere,indoors and outdoors.Her Mom has expressed worry that it may be unhealthy for her and is considering making her wear shoes again.I told her that while its her daughter and she can do what she wants,her attitude towards her daughters new habit is,in fact,not based on reality.The truth is that habitually going barefoot is excellent for devolping strong,healthy feet,especially in young children.Also,a child of 12 yrs have enough common sense to aviod any dangerous objects wile walking.I advised the Mom that shed be doing her daughter a favor by not only allowing her to go in bare feet all of the times,but actively encouraging her to do so.Is this good advice?

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SomeMichGuy · M

Huh?

Also,a child of 12 yrs have enough common sense to aviod any dangerous objects wile walking.

#define __SARCASM
Yes, 12-yr-olds are VERY well-known for their amazing common sense. This is why we allow them to drive, get handguns, vote, smoke, drink, have sex with whomever, marry, and never give them advice intended to help them.
#undef __SARCASM

Her ability to "avoid any dangerous objects wile[sic] walking" has a lot to do with where she walks, how attentive she is to the walking, etc.

Also, bits of glass and metal, etc., can be undetectable until you have stepped on them.

It used to be said that going barefoot is the major cause of ringworm in the American South. Besides nematodes from bits left behind in animal feces--and where such feces *once* were is not always self-evident, depending upon the surface, time, etc.--chemicals from fertilization, planting, weed/pest/lawn treatments, etc., are also absorbable.

I know this is religion for many, but...smh