Guns, speaking as an American

I can't believe I'm saying this. This is going to take a lot out of me. Feeling super torn but it must be said.

Pointe Shoes

Pointe shoes weren't always a thing in ballet. But the concept of Charles Didelot's "flying machine", 1785, inspired choreographers, and ballerina, Marie Tiglioni to find a way to have the dancers be up on the tips of their toes without using wires.
It was Tiglioni who started darning her ballet slippers so that she could obtain this ability.
It wasn't until later in the 1800s that ballet shoes were made with a flat platform at the toes. Then Russian ballerina, Anna Pavlova customized her shoes so that they were harder and more supportive. Giving way to the pointe shoes of today, which are still evolving.

My issue with pointe shoes is the concept of them being an integral requirement for a professional ballet dancer. Not every ballet dancer can wear pointe shoes safely, but too many are put in them anyways, but impatient, pushy dance teachers and principals.

Pointe shoes are a cause of so many short and life long injuries and disfigurements, especially in young girls.

There is a sexism factor, that usually, mainly it's the female dancers who must endure dancing in pointe shoes. Although, some male dancers do own and dance in pointe shoes, it's not typically a common thing.

Pointe shoes are not actually all that necessary for ballet. I've seen dancers perform very well in ballet slippers, and I don't really notice too much when I do. If anything, pointe shoes are distracting from the dance and the rest of the dancer. They are loud, look clunky when not en point, and I find there is more emphasis on the pointe work.
When I watch a performance done on demi pointe, or in ballet slippers, I notice how the dancer moves, the costume, the routine, and not staring at the feet.

But I do understand the allure, the wonderment and anticipation for pointe shoes. They look lovely, cute and feel different. It's like getting your first pair of high heels.