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High Heel Addiction vs Fashion Preference


dr1819

Do you believe the wear of high heels by men is an addiction?  

384 members have voted

  1. 1. Do you believe the wear of high heels by men is an addiction?

    • Absolutely
    • Undecided - I haven't the brain required to form an opinion based upon the incredibly voluminous data at hand.
    • Absolutely not.
    • Of course not. I and many other males wear heels all the time without governmental regulatory authority having any disire to get involved.
    • I could not say. I'm not a guy who wears heels, and do not know of other guys who wear heels.


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I would like to comment on the possibility of a high heel addiction as a lay counselor. First, and addiction is defined as a preoccupation with something that seriously affects work, family, or other commitments normally expected by society to held in the higher regards. Put more simply, "Addiction is a compulsion to repeat a behavior regardless of its consequences. A person who is addicted is sometimes called an addict." (from Wikipedia.com) Merriam Webster defines addiction as "2 : compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; broadly : persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful." Therefore, I would NOT (repeat, and most emphatically) NOT consider high heel wear by guys as any form of "addiction." Folk Facts (of which you need to be aware): Fashion preference is NOT addiction. The first modern high heel was worn around 1500. It was invented by, and for, a guy. It wasn't for another 33 years before a woman wore heels (Catherine de' Medicini - search Google for more exact spelling and the story). Men and women wore high heels together for more than 300 years, with men's heels reaching heights of 5" and more, but falling out of favor with men only in the last 120 years. Nevertheless, men have continued wearing heels throughout that time, and are wearing heels at an accelerated rated greater than any time in the last 100 years, per capita, world-wide.

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Dr. 1819, Thanks for your explanation of addiction. My ability to function in society and do my job is not impaired by my heels. What a relief to know I am not addicted! ;) Storage space in my closet - that is impaired.

Bluetango

So many shoes and only two feet.

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This is just my opinion, mind you, but I find "addiction" too strong a term to describe what we do. I don't think any of us here go through painful withdrawals when they can't wear heels, spend the food and rent money on heels or anything equally as extreme. I prefer to call this a "passion" which fits much better.

I don't want to LOOK like a woman, I just want to DRESS like a woman!

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That's probably why I didn't vote addiction, Jeff.

Shafted, the boots that is! View my gallery here http://www.hhplace.o...afteds-gallery/ or view my heeling thread here http://www.hhplace.org/topic/3850-new-pair-of-boots-starts-me-serious-street-heeling/ - Pm me if you want fashion advice or just need someone to talk to.

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"Addiction" is far too strong and ominous a term for something as----let's call a spade a spade----frivilous and harmless as wearing women's shoes. Back in my Navy days, I knew a shipmate who was addicted to drugs, it ruined his career, wrecked his marriage and heaven only knows what happened to him after he was kicked out. As far as I know, he might not even be alive today. Drugs, booze, gambling, sex, those are real addictions that can destroy lives, what's the worst that can happen when it comes to wearing high heels, other than pained feet from after too many hours spent in them. Hardly something that can alter lives in the negative like an addiction.

I don't want to LOOK like a woman, I just want to DRESS like a woman!

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shrimper, I think you'll have a tough time finding someone on this board who'll believe you. ;)

Shafted, the boots that is! View my gallery here http://www.hhplace.o...afteds-gallery/ or view my heeling thread here http://www.hhplace.org/topic/3850-new-pair-of-boots-starts-me-serious-street-heeling/ - Pm me if you want fashion advice or just need someone to talk to.

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Well, we know that for some men here, their desire to wear heels has resulted in an end to their marriages.

Would that constitute an addiction?

This is just my opinion, but I'd say that would have more to do with a spouse's dislike of her husband's shoe preference than an addiction. Just an opinion.

I don't want to LOOK like a woman, I just want to DRESS like a woman!

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Kneehighs is right. The shoes are just an excuse. I never wore heels before my divorce but my ex convinced herself that I was a cross-dresser because of my collection of running tights and a few pair of panty hose that I layered under the tights when running in the coldest weather. (I'm from Minnesota.) If that is the only thing "wrong" in a relationship, then the relationship isn't going to end. If you want it to work, you can accept an eccentricity in your partner. I don't want to be bitter, so I will drop my story at that. Bluetango

Bluetango

So many shoes and only two feet.

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I don't really think it matters exactly what you call it - - Addiction/Compulsion/Craving/Fascination/Uncontrollable Fetish/Desire/Quirk/Urge/Turn-on/Yearning/Kink/Penchant/Trait etc. etc. Thousands of us find it a great and all-consuming activity, so let's just recognise that and enjoy it to the full! Cheers, Heelfan

Onwards and upwards!

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It depends on your definition of an addiction. I get frustrated if I can't wear heels a few times a week, and have bought pairs that I couldn't really afford. Whenever I want to buy myself a treat, a pair of boots is always top of my list. According to the dictionary definition it's not an addiction though. I'd agree that a man wearing heels is unlikely to be the sole cause of a relationship breaking up. My wife doesn't like me wearing heels, but tolerates it because she recognises that it's harmless. Chris

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Kneehighs is right.

The shoes are just an excuse. I never wore heels before my divorce but my ex convinced herself that I was a cross-dresser because of my collection of running tights and a few pair of panty hose that I layered under the tights when running in the coldest weather. (I'm from Minnesota.)

If that is the only thing "wrong" in a relationship, then the relationship isn't going to end. If you want it to work, you can accept an eccentricity in your partner. I don't want to be bitter, so I will drop my story at that.

Bluetango

Hi, bluetango.

I would agree with your synopsis.

Good on 'ya!

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Absolutely not and certainly not in my case. There was a period of time where I wore heels every day for two weeks. Was I in bliss then? Absolutely. There have also been other extended periods of time where I could wear not just heels, but whatever women's shoes I fancied at the moment. I was very happy with myself then, too, but I was a little un-nerved by the general spat of disapproval I received. I presently don't have an option. I have no heels, I have no money for heels, I have no space for heels, and quite frankly I don't have much supplementary fashion for heels (in the form of nice jeans and novelty tees). I would not say I am suffering for this. Through the years I've not only been humbled by experience, but I've learned how to balance my tolerance and apply it to EVERYTHING. I was able to quit smoking after a brief period of life in which I did, and I don't miss it one bit. I was able to quit competitive basketball, and while I do miss it somewhat, I understand the benefit of its absence. It's the same way with high heels. I love wearing them, but I won't be susceptible to mood swings without them. And somehow, I think the majority of people here, as well as high heel-wearing males everywhere, fall into this same line of thought as I do.

Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. - Oscar Wilde

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