After this time, males have a more rapid growth spurt than females. Men's feet are both longer and wider than women's feet. Men's feet also spread more when they stand. That is why it is so important to walk around when a person tries on shoes. Women's bones are thinner and the ligaments may be looser, leading to more flexibility.
Women are their own worst enemies when it comes to foot problems.
Dress shoes, in particular, cause the most problems for women. Trust me, I know, since I too love beautiful shoes. The most beautiful shoes are not necessarily the ones that are the best for our feet. The problem with most women's shoe styles is that they all are more narrow than a bare foot, and the front of the shoe is tapered, which forces the toe joints to buckle. Most women will squeeze their foot into a shoe that is too small.