Articles like this always seem very strange to me.  My mother grew up dirt poor, and didn't wear shoes all summer long in Northern Minnesota.  As soon as they got enough money together, shoes were the first thing they purchased.<p>I grew up in Central America, and I spent a lot of time playing soccer with other kids that were barefoot.  As soon as those families had money, one of the first things they purchased were shoes.<p>It strikes me as very strange that shoe companies are now selling expensive running shoes that give you the feel of running barefoot.  I understand the reasons for it, but I just don't get it.