Teenagers like to keep their trainers dirty to impress friends and ‘show off their life experiences’, say researchers
- Researchers have explained why kids may be reluctant to clean their shoes
- A three-year study of 16 to 19-year-olds found they like to keep trainers filthy
- It’s to impress friends – preserving memories of sweaty gigs and muddy festivals
Many parents know the frustration of trying – and failing – to persuade their teenage children to clean their dirty trainers.
Now researchers have explained why they might be so reluctant to pick up a damp cloth.
A three-year study of 16 to 19-year-olds found they like to keep their trainers filthy to impress friends and ‘show off their life experiences’ – preserving memories of sweaty gigs and muddy music festivals.
A three-year study of 16 to 19-year-olds found they like to keep their trainers filthy to impress friends and ‘show off their life experiences’
Research leader Dr Naomi Braithwaite said teenagers felt that cleaning their trainers risked ‘erasing their meaningfulness’
Research leader Dr Naomi Braithwaite said teenagers felt that cleaning their trainers risked ‘erasing their meaningfulness’.
The Nottingham Trent University study explored the footwear choices of Generation Z youngsters, who were born into an image-led, social media society.