A woman walking in five-inch high-heeled shoes on a ramp, in the office, on the aisle, in a park, during a flight, and even during a sports event! We see such women every day, everywhere and there is nothing off about any of these situations.
Now imagine the same but with a man in high heels instead of a woman. Does this seem normal too? You and I, both know that it certainly does not! The real question is why not? Why do only women have to wear heels to look ‘formal’ while there is so much fuss about gender equality?
The answer to this question once again lies in men objectifying women into ‘perfect’ subjects. Historically, such shoes appear up to five hundred years ago, but at that time they were also worn by men. High heels were permanently tagged with women when the idea was put forward that women look more attractive in such shoes. It was said that men like the curvature of women’s backs and some other features when they walk in high-heeled shoes.
Now wearing high heels is a commercial requirement for working women, a bride won’t look like a bride if she does not add additional 4 inches to her height at the cost of her stature and there is no question of women’s portrayal in showbusiness without sleek high heels.
It has become a common thing that if a woman comes to an event, she will be wearing heels. In the film, ‘Successful Business Woman’ will be walking around the office wearing stilettos, air hostesses will be wearing on the plane and the starved-helpless models are forced to wear the same.
For hundreds of years, a woman has been fighting with her body and mind to adapt to the idea of a man, or more appropriately, she is forced to fight this war. In old China, little girls were made to wear shoes that made their feet look small and beautiful. In ‘modern’ Europe, women are told that thick lips look beautiful and Botox injections are sold in bulks. Fair complexion, attractive eyes, tall height, hair-free body, and what not!
In comparison, what cosmetic changes have been brought for men to date? Don’t begin to enlist because there is only one, clothing! Just dress up, grow your natural facial hair and you are the ideal ‘handsome’ man. There is no fight with the natural shape of the body for men and no requirement for wasting their time and money in order to look ‘ideal.’
Why can’t it be a normal thing for a woman to wear joggers to a wedding? Why can’t she put on a very comfortable full grip shoe that does not tire her, stiffen her legs, strap her waist and destroy the hip bone at a flight or other jobs? In the 21st century, women can be equal and stand beside men but not without high-heeled shoes.
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