What Men Really Want to Know: Question 2

Question #2: Why do women wear shoes and clothing that hurt, complain about them, and then wear them again and again?

Women tend to be more concerned with beauty than comfort. This is something that has gone on for centuries. We've worn corsets, large heavy wigs, crinolines, devices to keep our feet petite, and the list goes on and on. These were all worn to enhance our beauty. So why is beauty so important to us? We've learned that our looks can be used as a weapon. In fact, it is one weapon we know we can always possess and manipulate according to the situation.

It has only been in the past few decades that women have been seen to be capable of the same intellectual tasks as men. Even now, it is hard to be seen as a man's intellectual equal. Knowing this, many women still rely on that natural weapon: beauty. If I can make myself attractive enough to manipulate a man's sex drive to my benefit, then I am going to use that weapon.

This is something that has been taught to us subconsciously (or even sometimes very bluntly) for our entire lives. We watch Cinderella as a child and learn that if I can make myself beautiful enough, I can land the prince. If those evil stepsisters would have been able to squeeze their feet into those glass glass slippers, they could have landed the prince. They would have remained uncomfortable for the rest of their lives to keep a good man.

We see magazine ads with a woman in a corset, thigh high stockings, a garter, and stilettos (none of which are comfortable) with a man on his knees begging for her sexuality. We see the man we love drooling over the picture. What woman wouldn't suffer a little physical pain to achieve a beauty so powerful it makes a grown man drop to his knees? Also, if it worked once, it will probably work again. So I will continue to wear those narrow 4" heels, push-up bra with more metal than a scaffold, and a shirt so tight I can barely breathe just to even the playing field of power with a man.

Another reason we will suffer through this torture is because we are always in competition with other women. Sad to say, but it makes me feel good to walk past another woman and see that jealousy in her eyes. When I see that look, I know my man couldn't possibly want her over me. Not only that, I know that other woman is wishing she could do as much justice to those shoes as I am. What could be a better stroke to one's ego than someone else wishing they could be you, even for a moment?

As for our obsession with shoes, even uncomfortable ones, there will never be an explanation that seems reasonable to a man. Shoes are the one thing that can look good on every woman. Some women will never feel comfortable wearing the mini skirt, low cut blouse, or tight jeans. Some of us just aren't built to wear certain styles of clothing. I'm very short with a short torso. I can never do a sheath dress justice because I look pregnant. I can't wear one of those sexy T-shaped bathing suits. You know the one. It resembles a bikini with that sexy strip of fabric down the middle of the stomach. My torso is too short and the fabric bulges out in the middle. I'm too short to stretch it out appropriately. But I can don those strappy stilettos the same as the tall woman that can wear that suit. I believe it was best said in the movie In Her Shoes, even if you gain a few pounds, the shoes will always fit.

So guys, all in all, I believe we will continue to go around uncomfortable until we can reach intellectual equality in society. Unfortunately, I'm not sure that this is something that will ever happen. As long as we continue to allow ourselves to be portrayed as sexual objects, we will always down play our intellect. We will continue to bind our bodies, manipulate our god given weapon, and complain about the pain. All you can do is compliment us on our beauty. Assure us that we don't need to do those uncomfortable things to ourselves and be prepared to listen to the complaining over and over again.

Also, give up on trying to convince us that we can find a more comfortable shoe. Speaking for myself, I will always buy a shoe based on its attractiveness, not its comfort. I really don't care if my feet are swollen at the end of the night as long as I felt sexy in them. And, I will definitely wear them again if I get just one compliment from another woman. When my husband scolds me for wearing the shoes I know will hurt my feet it never makes me want to wear a more comfortable pair. Actually, I just want to buy another pair of stilettos. So, guys, pick your battles and just let us wear the shoes.

As always, I hope I answered this question fully and to your satisfaction. Have a question you want answered? Leave me a comment or send me a message and I will get on it ASAP. Thanks for reading!!