to find it a bit "helpless woman" that on xfactor all the damsels have to be helped down the stairs

[magicpixie]

i know they are wearing heels

but how about wearing something you can actually walk in ?????

I think it just sends out the wrong message

Yep. Heels are tools of the patriarchy - fact!

I saw something claiming that high heels are the modern equivalent of footbinding.

I think the boys should refuse to assist and just leave them standing helpless at the top of the stairs.

I don't watch x factor but I know exactly what you are saying and you are right.

Since I had my son I live in flats and amazingly I can move freely at will! I imagine Simon Cowell has something to say about what they wear and if they wore flats he would probably have a whinge.

Don't worry am sure no-one will be holding their arm when they are going down the pan!

I love heels, but a woman must really understand how to walk in them before wearing them. Really.

I think they are probably just doing it to stop a potential embarrassing fall on TV. I would rather have a hand to steady myself then go arse over tits down a set of stairs on live TV. I'm not sure how this is sending a bad message?

I agree that - if you can't walk properly in them - they are the modern equivalent of foot binding. If you can't walk, and maybe even pick up a bit of a jog in footwear then it's disempowering.

I cringe when I see women wearing towering heels that they simply can't manage. Halve the heel they'd walk taller.

I love heels and can run in four inch stilettos but I would be quite grateful for a steadying hand to make sure I didn't trip on live tv when I was extremely nervous.

Mind you I'd be glad of it in my work Skechers too under hose circumstances...

I think it is bonkers to wear something that temporarily disables you, and very often causes lifelong damage to the foot. (along with pointy toed shoes)
Why do we have to present ourselves as weak and delicate as if we cant wait to be clubbed and dragged into the cave?

Also being on stage is quite different to simply walking in heels. For a start the spot lights are so bright you can't actually see anything.

its a safety thing, they're nervous, they're coming off a brightly lit stage down into the dark back stage and ITV would get their arses sued off if anyone took a tumble and broke a limb or even their neck.

Yes but did you see Cheryl walk down some steps when she was the first judge to sit down (in the results)? In her long dress too!
Felt like clapping, see you can negotiate some steps in heels Cheryl!

I don't watch it, but is this really what Mel B - Scary Spice -has come to? What happened to girl power?
Come on our Mel, you know you could fookin' 'ave them stairs if you wanted to.

Oh im glad im not the only one that thinks this way

Phew

Flats would ruin their look. There's nothing stopping any female who wants to from wearing flat shoes, most don't want to. Many shortarse men would love to be able to add several inches to their height and would if it were fashion for them to do so.

Blinding lights, nerves, steps, it would probably be good television to let them tumble but they'd have lawsuits then. As long as they can walk on stage, good for them.

'Heels are the modern equivalent of foot binding' is clearly making it's way into the lexicon of MN buzz phrases.

High heels are a way of taking power away from women, very few can walk for any distance or run in them (waits for the hordes declaring they can walk for hours in 4 inchers). Walking, running, climbing up and down stairs are normal activities for those without mobility issues.

I wonder why some women want to temporarily decrease their physical abilities or indeed make themselves more physically vulnerable/dependent?

I guess it all comes down to the idea that high heels are deemed sexually alluring in some cultures? And the importance of being a sexually attractive woman is deemed important in pop culture.

Over the years, I have heard many women state that wearing heels gives them confidence.

The marketing companies/patriarchy have really done a job on us!

Being able to walk comfortably, without falling over gives me confidence, irishe - and that means flats.

I agree SDT, I maybe should have added that I do not share this view, and have always wondered about it.

I am a flats, all the way person!

I did get that from what you said - I was agreeing. We are as one on this!. Sorry if I offended you.

Many short arse men would love to be able to add several inches to their height..

Yeah, Cowell does. He wears his Cuba heels and long trousers, doesn't he?