Schools across the country are increasingly banning Crocs from campuses over fears the slip-on footwear will cause injuries and result in lawsuits. At least 20 states have banned the footwear in schools, claiming they provide no ankle support and minimal grip. School officials argue that Crocs would be a hazard in an emergency situation — such as a mass shooting — and would hamper students from fleeing to safety. Parents at the affected schools are divided over the ban and argue with school officials that Crocs are no more dangerous than any other slip-on shoe. “Tell my kids they can’t run in Crocs and that will be proven a lie,” said one parent, pointing out that her kids run, hike and ride bikes in them without a problem. Another parent pointed out that kids sit in class for 8 hours, so it shouldn’t matter what they have on their feet. Former teacher Donna Yielding said she even wore them in class herself. “I taught for over 30 years and wore Crocs a lot because I stood on hard concrete floors over 8 hours a day,” she explained. Some parents have even considered pulling their kids out of their current schools and enrolling them in schools that don’t have a Crocs ban.
