Why don't men do pointe?

Answer 1

(by Dane Youssef)

Pointework is mainly for the women because the pointe is designed to make women look graceful, delicate and effortlessly able to walk on air. The men are supposed to appear powerful, Herculiean... yet graceful. Not so much able to float.

And as excrutiating at pointe work is, this is what makes women the true stars and centerpieces of the art form. Women hate the fact the catch-22 that comes along with pointe shoes. They love these pretty satin footwear that are designed to advance them in the world of Ballet, they love it so. But going through it is a whole different matter.

The shoes cause blisters, bunions, warts, hangnails, scuffs, cuts, scrapes, athlete's foot, additional pressure and strain on the feet. The pain is unbelievable. Ankles tend to get twisted and sprained and those ribbons can cut off circulation.

And after your feet (but really, your whole body) has conditioned itself to pointework, when those shoes come off, it is a horrific sight!

Thick calluses of the feet are good, insulation for the foot against the harsh uncomfortable enviorment of the pointe. Taping the toes and gel inserts are also recommended. Some bleeding of the feet early on is to be expected. But aside from all that, the general role is "walk it off. Deal with it. No pain, no gain."

But (and this is the exception that proves the rule), sometimes the males do dance en pointe--such as taken on roles such as the Ugly Stepsisters.