Are heels appropriate for toddlers?

[Shomore]

Now that my hubby and I are expecting our first child, my shoe universe seems to be expanding.Â* While my interest still lies in women's shoes, toddler footwear suddenly seems more interesting to me, irrespective of the gender of our child.

When I first saw this picture of Suri Cruise in tiny d'orsay heels, a few thoughts were running through my head.

<a href="http://www.shoeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/suri-cruise-in-heels1.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9823" title="suri-cruise-in-heels1" src="http://www.shoeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/suri-cruise-in-heels1.jpg" alt="" width="269" height="592" /></a>

Essentially they boiled down to three categories (edited to more coherent thoughts for this post):

1. The practical side- <em>Nooo!!!!Â* This young lady just learned how to walk.Â* Her feet need to be close to the ground to provide her with better stability, allow for strong ankles, and for that arch to be built.
</em>

2. The feminist side- <em>How can women expect to be treated as equally when we willingly choose to wear heels?Â* When we wear hobbling heels, doesn't this just symbolically emphasize how fragile and frail women are vs. our male counterparts who stand steady with both feet firmly planted on the floor?</em>

3. The girly side- <em>Awwwh, how cute.Â* Suri is going to be quite the fashionista when she grows up.Â* These must be Suri's <a href="http://www.shoeblog.com/blog/princess-shoes/" target="_self">princess shoes</a> (photo below of R5Bales' granddaughter's shoes)!
</em>

<img class="alignnone" src="http://www.shoeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/ry.jpg" alt="" width="542" height="361" />

Honestly, I believe that everything can be done in moderation.Â*Â* As long as Suri is allowed to walk barefoot or wear flexible soled shoes the majority of the time, I think that low kitten heels are acceptable.Â* Heck, they are loads cuter than Crocs.Â* Little girls should be allowed to play dress up and experiment.Â*Â* It's part of growing up and developing personal tastes and a personality.Â* But what do you think?Â* Are heels appropriate for someone Suri's age?