I live in heels and wear 4" ones regularly - I find it hard to walk in flats unless I'm on hills (which is sort of like wearing heels anyway). I am practicing and getting better at flats, although it was very uncomfortable, even painful, at first. I started with stilettoes (only 2-3") age about 8 I think - I had "adult-sized feet" by age 7 and in the 1980s there wasn't much choice when it came to shoes. Granny shoes for school, heels at all other times. Or men's shoes. I hated the assistants who thought (and still think) it's OK to tell women to look in the men's department when they want strappy stiletto sandals. I now tell them I didn't realise they had an equal ops footwear policy and how great for the men who are after strappy stiletto sandals to have a place where they are catered for on the high street.

I did need a foot operation when I was 14 as my feet had developed really badly due to the heels, but as my feet were still growing I couldn't have it done until I was 20. I have large scars down the outside of my feet now and my little toes curl around so the toenail is at the side of the foot rather than the top. So I do not support young children in heels and hate seeing pre-schoolers wearing high-heeled shoes, as is the fashion these days. I would prefer flat shoes forever for both genders, and pretty flat shoes, due to foot development. But there is little choice for teenagers these days: ballerina pumps or heels. There should be more choice!