More often than necessary, women are consumed with the idea of infatuation. Every culture has its own form of standards that pertain to women and what constitutes beauty. Although the world is slightly more accepting now, women used to go to extreme lengths to achieve an image that would be deemed attractive. In the Chinese culture, foot binding was that well-known beauty expectation for centuries. What started off as a celebrity fad, turned into a way of determining social status and eventually an all-around beauty expectation. 2 The objective of foot binding was for women to have the smallest foot possible, starting at very young ages. Not only was this a painful process for girls as young as five years, but it also promoted the idea that women must mutilate their bodies to become appealing to men. At some point in time, women began to just accept that this was something that was supposed to be done in order to be attractive. Often referred to as “lotus boats” or “golden lotuses,” bound feet started as a fad for the famous, and slowly made its way to becoming the social norm.3
This practice began around the tenth century with women in the entertainment business. These women were adored for their tiny arched feet and were seen by men to be much more attractive than middle class women with average feet. As these dancers were gaining an audience, the idea of “lotus feet” was becoming familiar. Not long after these performers expressed their “beauty,” foot binding became a norm for women who wanted to fit in and even for those who had a desire to find a husband.4 This painful process consisted of the breaking of young girl’s toes to form the desired triangular shape. Then the arch of the foot would be bent horizontally from the toes all the way to the heel. As if this was not painful enough, the girls were forced to walk on their feet to intensify the arch, breaking the foot even more. After all of this, the foot would be wrapped to maintain the shape of it as well as prevent any sort of deviation.5
Although this practice was around for centuries, it was only a matter of time before someone realized how inhumane and cruel it really was. Thankfully, many people began to protest against foot binding, forming “anti-foot binding organizations” to raise awareness on the inhumanity of binding women’s feet. By the 1950’s, laws were passed, allowing women to unbind their feet. Although hesitant at first, the trend slowly declined. Many women protested to unbinding their feet, due to the fact that it had been a social norm a thousand years. However, the movement against foot binding continued and eventually the last of the factories that make the tiny shoes were shut down, disabling the women from continuing the custom. Today, foot binding is no longer practiced and the only women who continue to maintain the tiny feet are those elder women who refuse to let go of the past.6
Beauty
Chinese Culture
Chinese Footbinding
Andres Palacios
It is incredible the type of things that cultures have encouraged people in the past to do just to be considered, more beautiful than the average person. Foot binding clearly it’s almost like a torture that produces feet deformation I believe that no one should have to deal or go through this pain just to satisfy someone else’s desires.Very well written article, and interesting topic.
16/11/2016
8:15 am
Angelica Espinoza
Such a great topic to have chosen. The last sentence, the idea that any woman today would still practice foot binding willingly is pretty incredible to me. The practice was so painful that I couldn’t imagine little girls enjoying it. I’d think that once it fell out of practice no one would want to continue doing that. Great quote to hook at the very beginning! It truly expresses the sentiment that women and girls had when they were put to endure this. I’m glad it is something that is no longer widely accepted and practiced in our world today.
16/11/2016
8:15 am
Jeanette Wimberly
It’s interesting to know how the Chinese culture practiced this for centuries, even though they experienced excruciating pain. Foot binding really shows the length some cultures are willing to go through in order to achieve their sense of beauty. Good article!
16/11/2016
8:15 am
Alyssa Almaguer
Probably the most fascinating article I’ve read so far! It’s interesting to learn about the different beauty standards each culture had throughout history. I can’t even believe people thought those deformed feet are beautiful, but that must be because I am not from that culture. Very well written article, great job!
16/11/2016
8:15 am
Edelia Corona
It’s amazing the lengths people will go through to achieve a higher status of beauty. Self mutilation in our society today is looked down upon and seen as an illness. It’s interesting to know the history that you presented on why women did it and why it was accepted. I can’t imagine having to break my bones in my feet to find a suitable husband. Thank you for sharing this very well written and intriguing article!
16/11/2016
8:15 am
Analina Devora
This article made my very squeamish but it was definitely interesting hearing about the history behind it all. I loved the quote you used at the beginning, it gave the reader an insight of the emotions behind this whole process. This is very interesting, I have heard stories and seen it on tv and in the “Ripley’s Believe it or Not” but I have never read an actual researched article over it. Well done!
16/11/2016
8:15 am
Desmond Bonsignore
The lengths that people will go to in order to feel “beautiful” to me is astounding. Ancient Chinese culture is full of many different, strange customs, but to me this is by far the most strange. This is a very well written article and was very informative!
16/11/2016
8:15 am
Rafael Ortiz Salas
I remember studying about the Chinese Foot Binding custom. I cannot stand knowing that they never took their shoes off, just because it made them more beautiful. I can’t imagine the pain they had to go through their whole life. Foot binding is one of the most rarest customs I have seen,and I’m glad it stopped. Great article.
16/11/2016
8:15 am
Maranda Avina
Great job! Lots of good detail and information. Its crazy to think of how the idea of beauty is different for each culture and how it is perceived throughout the world. Foot binding is definitely one of the more outlandish and inhumane trends of beauty.
16/11/2016
8:15 am