High heels and nonsense science

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/...od-8433322.html

All over the papers today are articles such as the one linked. According to "scientists" who have published a paper in the Journal of Evolution and Human Behaviour, high heels make women more attractive and therefore, they say,

I have mentioned before that I have no quarrel with the majority of experiments reported in such journals: they are peer reviewed and acceptably designed. It is when they come to the interpretation of their results that one comes to suspect that they don't get out much. And this is no exception. I admit I have not read the original research paper, because I cannot find it ( as is often the case there is no proper link or citation in the newspaper articles). But if we trust the bits quoted as an accurate reflection of the content then we have a few wee problems: like


So it is part of lesbian mate selection, presumably......

Then there is this:


Er...... what precisely is that supposed to mean? Women in high heels walk faster and take smaller steps than women in flat shoes, and also rotate their hips more. Just exactly how is that more characteristic of "female gait" than women walking in flat shoes or bare feet? Oh, that's right, it isn't.

I notice also that the women who took part in the study were all used to wearing high heels


but nevertheless they did not risk filming them for the purposes of this experiment, after a whole day of having them on. I am not surprised. In Glasgow, in winter, I quite often see lassies walking home in the rain carrying their high heeled shoes, because their feet are sore: they don't look terribly attractive: but they do look quite stupid, and I imagine there are men who think they are in with a better chance if they try to get off with a moron.There is nothing more attractive than the sweet scent of potential success: and of course such a woman cannot easily get away, so that is part of the "mate selection" too, presumably: either she can't run; or she will fall into your arms if you offer to find a taxi, given that her feet are freezing

The paper edition of the article also notes that 44% of 18-34 year old women wear flat shoes to get to the office (and it does say office, which might be significant) and change into high heels when they get there: less than 33% of women over 35 do that. Obviously they are making their own choices and it is all about evolution: nothing to do with social or employer expectations, clearly: because who doesn't change their shoes when they get to work? It is not inconvenient at all to cart an extra pair of shoes about with you, is it? On a wet monday? When you are running late?

It also notes that 40% of women "admit" to having had high-heel related "accidents". They don't bother to report what those "accidents" might be. I imagine sprained ankles and sexual assault are high on the list. though.

Hahahaha, interesting stuff. I'll start off by saying I am a shoe-addict. I have over 30 pairs of shoes, more than half of them are heels. I prefer a heel height from 2 1/2 -5. My highest pair is 5 1/4. But I do also own practical shoes, work boots, snow boots, flip flops, and sneakers. By the way since September I've bought 5 pairs of heels.... <<; that's why I say I'm an addict.


I think they have deviated from the idea of male selection here. Women judges probably rated them as more attractive because they pay more attention into the small details of someone's appearance, whereas (so I've been told) men tend to pay attention to the more general picture. If asked why some men may not have a detailed response...that one is more attractive than the other. It also likely has something to do with the idea, probably from social pressures, that women look more feminine in heels, thus women care more about heels or no heels on a person.


I would say that typically a 'female gait' is different to a 'male gait'. Not to say all are. But I think naturally women are a bit daintier when they walk. Also they look different in gaits because of the woman body being more curvy. Also each person walks differently in heels...and they certainly don't walk faster in heels... <<; trust me...that loss of heel toe stability slows you down no matter how hard to try. Personally, I feel like I make longer strides in heels, but this could just be because I'm paying more attention to my steps than when I walk without. I think the gait becomes more "feminine" because of the hip movement as well as the fact that you'll tend to raise your knees a bit higher in your steps. Of course this also attributes to the social standard of what's "feminine." But then again curves and well carried posture have been considered "feminine" for a long time. I feel like never once have I read something (historically, i.e ancient greek, roman, and further along in history) where a woman who has a "lumbering gait" slouched shoulders and flatter body was deemed "feminine or attractive"

As for only women used to heels doing the study, I think it would have been beneficial to have people not accustomed to heels to also be a part of the study. Of course, this would then poke holes in their theory of how the walk is better, because walking in heels without being a stumbling mess takes at least a little bit of practice if not a lot.



So then from your reaction am I to assume you do not wear heels, unless required, like for a special occasion, job, etc...?

Sometimes you can't always properly judge the right shoe for the right occasion. But you can't very well wear sneakers with a dress...that'd just look ridiculous. Though I do agree carrying your high heeled shoes does make you look pretty stupid and sloppy. Personally, I refuse...no matter how much pain I'm in...to walk around barefoot...cause yeah I'm not trying to look like a moron. But I'd say that's more poor planning then, you're stupid for wearing heels. And then to people who change shoes for work... again work isn't always a sneaker/practical shoe friendly place. Office attire does require a decent shoe. While your employer doesn't have particular shoe regulations, business casual, and professional looks often place women in heels. However, you could chose a low heel and still be stylish...but admittedly I think higher ones look better.


Sooo here's why I prefer heels... to make some sense out of the article...as to why heels are more attractive. When you wear heels you're placing yourself up on your toes, thus using more of your leg muscle. Calves and quads and hamstrings. So typically this does make your butt look better because its in more of a flexed state. Secondly your legs will look longer because it is more streamline. Lets say you're looking at the leg from your hips down (from the front and also the side). As you follow the relatively straight line of your leg at the ankle you come to a sudden bend so to speak. That is the flat foot at your ankle. Placing yourself up on your toes continues that streamlined look of a leg. Makes you a bit taller and many people think it will make their legs longer and thinner looking. But at the end of the day I suppose it all comes down to personal taste and what you feel comfortable wearing. I found that once I practiced in heels a little (and I never really wore heels EVER. Didn't think I ever would...I was a skater shoe and running sneaker kinda girl.) that they're more comfortable on my feet. However, I have bad arches where they're weak from a lot of stress fractures from my cross country running days where I pushed myself too hard. So a slight heel is better. Infact, I have heard that many people will say a slight heel, 2" and under is beneficial to your foot because it provides good arch support. As for my love of 4" and 5" heels...well that's just because I think they look pretty and I'm usually not to uncomfy wearing them unless I'm stuck standing for long periods of time.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertai...s-10259953.html

"The festival declined to comment on the matter but, Screen reported, did confirm that it was obligatory for all women to wear high heels to red-carpet showings."

Apparently there is no longer any pretence that women freely choose to wear high heels: because, horror of horrors, it seems that some don't. We can't have that!