Nike's Glass Slipper

In theory programs to help female student athletes prepare for the business world are a fantastic idea.
The next generation always needs new role models and woman role models shows a closing of the gender gap.
Win. Win.
Right?
So why are two of the programs that are attempting to provide equality for female students titled Hoops to Heals and Sooner Stilettos?
Are we really teaching girls about how to succeed outside of sports or are we simply reinforcing the traditional gender roles of the past (and sadly the present)?
Is Nike's glass slipper benefiting female athletes or simply leading Cinderella to her prince and their very domestic happy ending?
What do you say we rename these exciting programs and teach young women to succeed no matter what pair of shoes they decide to wear...
ANM

Photo: Google Images

Shoe 12: Speaking of Tip Toes...

Have you ever been to the ballet and somehow, between the polite applause and the beautiful story, this question always seems to be in the back of your mind: "How on earth do those women stay on their toes (point in dance speak) for so long!"
Now you can too!
And to make up for the fact that not all woman have the natural grace of a ballerina they added heels - for balance...
ANM

Photo: Photobucket

High Heels...For Children

They're cute.
They're pink or animal print.
They're (wait for it...) high heels for children!
We learn about the world at a young age.
How we dress, how we treat others, how we feel about ourselves can all be traced back to what we learned at the hands of our caregivers.
And today's little girls are learning that the shoes that are appropriate for them are high heels...
What ever happened to sneakers or the little shoes that look like ballet flats, but aren't?
Sure these children probably don't care what ends up on their feet as long as it can eventually become a toy to be chewed on, but what do these - very adult heels - say about the society to which they belong and why is it necessary for a 2 year old to have gender defining shoes?
Should mothers be outraged or happy knowing that their children can bloom into miniature fashionistas before cutting all of their teeth?
What do you think?
Is it cute to put little girls in high heels or are we just teaching them to forever walk on their tip toes?
ANM

Photo: Google Images

Shoe 11: Disco's Back

Ok, stilettos have been around for a while and they are obviously still being worn or designers would have picked up on the much more comfortable flat and opted out of designing shoes that make the streets of Manhattan into the leaning tower, or more appropriately the teetering pathway, of women.
But they haven't so the question is, what ever happened to plain black high heeled shoes?
Classy, not overly high, business appropriate, and on a scale of uncomfortable from 1 (being the least uncomfortable) and 10 (being the most uncomfortable) hitting a solid tolerable comfort range of 4.
Case and point the dancing queen six inch stilettos that are now available for a weekend on the town.
You can jingle while walking down the street to your favorite tunes from the 70's, but don't forget the skin tight white bell bottoms -you want to make Mr. Travolta proud.
What do you think? Would you slip on these six inch stilettos for a night out with the girls or do a sequined pair of silver flats sound much more comfortable?
ANM
Photo Google Images

High Heels...For Men

The New York Daily News has released an article about the rise of high heels for men entitled "High heels for men go beyond drag shows and hit the street." Let's not even get started on the derogatory title and head right to the main point...
That's right ladies high heels are becoming a male fashion statement too and guess how well the male New York Daily News's readers are taking it?
As of right now:
17% of their male readers think that high heels for men are on trend and look great
8% think that they may give them a chance if more 'average' men started wearing then
and...
75% say No. Nope. Never!
But what do you think? Are heels for men here to stay or are they only a permanent fixture for women and for the so dubbed 'fashion forward' men?
ANM

Photo

Marc Jacobs Speaks About Wearing High Heels

According to the New York Daily News designer Marc Jacobs wears a pair of his own high heels during runway fittings which can take up to 36 hours.
But why wear stilettos?
"I do it because I want to show that I’m not some misogynist designer designing these torturous shoes for women. The heels are there as a choice and if you want to wear them all the time, some of the time or never, it’s your choice." Or so Jacobs says of his tradition.
And isn't that what it comes down to?
Choice?
But are the choices the same for men and women?
Sure for a couple of days Mr. Jacobs wears stilettos, and his team laughs at him for it even though he does it every year, or at least every year that high heels show up in his collection...
It's not funny for women to wear stiletto's though, it's the norm. An expected accessory to a suit, a ball gown, or even jeans on date night.
Sure women could chose to wear flats or flip flops or sneakers, but when they are looked at condescendingly, as if their choice is wrong, what then? Is it still their choice that they pick the heels or is it a choice made for them?
What do you think?
ANM

Photo: Google Images