I just refreshed my memory on foot binding

[Marthe48]

Someone in an antique group I'm in posted a picture of small quilted shoes, wondering if they were for children. Some of the replies mentioned foot binding. When I was in grade school, my 6th grade teacher talked about this cultural practice. By that time, it was out of style, thank God. I think the discussion ended up ranging far afield, to people in African nations adding larger and larger disks to their lips, Native American groups putting boards around their babies skulls to elongate them, and other practices. I think overall, my teacher was very progressive and sought to open doors for us to other cultures. She would read to us for 15 minutes every day after lunch, and one of the books she chose was a fictionalized account of a school in the south being integrated. I don't remember the name of the book, but some of the scenes were unforgetable. She was an exceptional teacher.

As I refreshed my memory on foot binding, I remembered a novel I read about a Chinese family trying to survive the war with Japan. The mother had bound feet and suffered from pain, sores and infections. At any time, I have never understood why humans will mutilate their bodies, or allow their bodies to be mutilated. And sadly, it seems like women are more likely to suffer mutilation than men. As women descend back in a pit of fewer to no rights, I wonder how far women will be degraded this time around? And how do we say NO MORE in a way that the fascist conservatives understand that no mean no? Women are not objects. If we own nothing else, we own our bodies, and any practice or law that interferes with our bodily autonomy is wrong.

[rampartc]

1. at the time of the cultural revolution

about 1/2 the women of china (1/4 billion people!) had bound feet. one of many things for which we can thank chairman mao.

[greatauntoftriplets]

2. I saw a woman with bound feet while visiting China in 1984.

She was at the Summer Palace just outside Beijing, and was dressed in the old way. The woman was quite old as well. We passed each other in a passageway. Because I could see her coming from quite distance, I noted the unusual gait that was a hallmark of bound feet. The brief glimpse I had of her feet when we passed made me wonder how she could stay upright on those tiny things.

Barbaric custom, there's no question about it.

[Marthe48]

3. Bound and hobbled

Reading about it was bad enough. Seeing it would be indelible. One practice I hope is never brought back.

[greatauntoftriplets]

5. Same here.

I never expected to see anyone with bound feet, so I felt terrible for her. She still may have believed that it was a thing of beauty, though. Thanks the gods that's not being done anymore.

I have to admit, though, that it was fascinating to see it for myself. Rather like driving past a flaming car wreck and taking in every detail.

[Kali]

4. yet until recently most women here endured things like hose and bras, girdles

high heels, skirts in winter, etc etc

never mind forced pregnancies and birthing...oh wait