Are shoelace-less shoes changing the way we think and problem solve? Many children grow up today having never learned to tie shoelaces. Today, there are snaps, slip-ons, straps, buckles, and good ole American Velcro that help hold shoes on children’s feet. There are probably many children today that do not know what a shoelace looks like.

The fashion world even went to the extent of eliminating the need to know how to tie shoes with oversized shoes that don’t have laces long enough to tie. This worked well as long as the wearer did not attempt to run, kick, or perform karate moves with them on. If any of these moves were performed, the show would go sailing across the sky at the total disbelief of the wearer.

Is this evolution of foot wear a change in fashion or is it a way of eliminating the need to learn how to tie shoes? After all, shoe tying is a true art that is developed over the years. There is the rabbit around the tree method, two loops twisted method, the red lace-blue lace method, and the have mom do it method. Which ever method taught, the problem to overcome by each child was how to keep them tied. As you were constantly reminded to tie your shoes, the thinking process turned to how to tie a better bow.

Then the day came and someone taught you how to tie the double knot. What an invention! Why didn’t I think of that before? Shoe tying was an art at one time. It required patience, perseverance, and creativity. Shoe tying could not be learned while watching TV. It required your undivided attention. Today, children are neglected of the great art of shoe tying. They no longer get the joy of learning the double knot. The days of Velcro now rule over the days of laces.