Chinese Culture

I. Women A. Women in China lived according to Confucian rules –1. They are not equal to men –2. They are not worthy of an Education B. Chinese girls were often not given names (daughter 1, 2, 3….)

C. Married women had to serve their husbands and could not raise their voices –1. Men could have more than one wife –2. Girls could not remarry if their husbands’ died (penalty was execution) –3. The role of women was to bear sons

D. Marraiges were arranged –1. Astology was used to make a good match –2. After marriage, a girl became the “property” of her husband’s family –3. The only way to elevate status was to have a son

II. Footbinding A. It began somewhere aroud 900AD during the Tang Dynasty B. Foot binding was officially banned in 1911 C. It is thought to have become popular at court where small feet were considered beautiful

–1. The practice was then picked up by wealthy families throughout China –2. Eventually, bound feet became a symbol of wealth D. Girls without bound feet could not find a suitor for marriage –1. Many poor women saw foot-binding as a way to elevate their status

–2. This caused strain on poor families where all family members were needed to work A. girls with bound feet could not work in the fields or stand for long periods of time E. Bound feet kept women inferior-they could not move fast or venture far from home

F. Foot binding began from as young as 3 to 6 or 7- bones had to be easy to break and arches couldn’t be fully developed –1. Toes were broken and wrapped tightly to keep them from growing further –2. Bandages were tightened every few days –3. The whole procedure took about 10 years until feet stopped growing and were small and pointed