Although it is now considered a horrible and disgusting thing to do, in Ancient China, women with bound feet were seen as attractive and quickly became a common practice. Biding feet spread to different social classes, as poorer families saw it as a way of improving their status. Bandages were tightly bound around the foot restrict growth and become more pointed. The feet binding process begun at the tender age of four to six while the foot was not yet arched and under-developed. Feet binding did not only break your toes but often caused infection, which in some cases, was fatal. To make a women more 'desirable' as a wife, her feet were bound to create three to four inch stubs which were not suitable for work outside the house. In Ancient China, women's feet resembled hooves, like those of a horse. Women with bound feet were more likely to fall and fracture their hip. After the process, your feet would be bound for the rest of your life, unable to move around comfortably. It was believed for a long time that women were inferior to men and Women with bound feet were weaker and less capable, meaning that it was less likely for them to be disobedient or rebel against their husband. The bandages were changed every few days and the process continued for ten years.
Question:
1. How did binding stop feet from growing?
2. How might have Ancient Chinese society have been different with out the culture of bound feet?
Question:
1. How did binding stop feet from growing?
2. How might have Ancient Chinese society have been different with out the culture of bound feet?
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