Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Mr. Thunder]

Some Chinese women condemn foot binding shoes claiming that it's horse-and-buggy, sexist, nonmodern; it damages your feet; they wear them for men blah, blah, blah. At the same time they wear high heel shoes. It's ironic. High heels hurt your feet too. And they wear only to attract men (is that right?). Those who condemn foot binding while they wear high heel shoes give me an impression that they admire the western culture in a foolish way.

And lastly, I don't support foot binding.

For those who don't know what's foot binding is all about. Here is an article that explains what it is:

Foot binding (纏足, 包腳, 裹小腳, or 紮腳) is a now obsolete Chinese custom, considered for centuries to be aesthetic, of producing very small feet in adult women through the application of tight bandage wrappings on the feet of young girls. The Chinese had thought that tiny feet were a sign of beauty and elegance. This practice lasted from the 10th century government in 1911
The practice of foot binding began during the Song Dynasty(960-976), reportedly to imitate an imperial concubine who was required to dance with her feet bound. By the 12th century, the practice had become widespread and severe -- girls' feet were bound so tightly and early in life that not only were they unable to dance, but they had difficulty walking, essentially becoming crippled. As only rich people could afford to keep unproductive girls, foot binding was as a show of wealth and status. The Hongwu Emperor's consort, born of humble origin, did not have small feet and was once mocked. To take revenge, Emperor Hongwu killed the neighbours of the mockers.
By the time a girl turned three years old, all her toes except the first (the "big" toe) were broken, and her feet were kept tightly bound with cloth strips to (ideally) keep her feet from growing larger than 10 cm(about 3.9 inches). The practice would cause the soles of feet to bend in extreme concavity. They were often referred to as "lotus hooks".
Foot binding ceased in the 20th century with the end of imperial dynasties and increasing influence of western fashion. According to a study, "As the practice waned, some girls' feet were released after initial binding, leaving less severe deformities." However, the deformities of foot binding linger on as a cause of disability in very elderly Chinese women.

[Komakino]

Germain Grear is a femenist writer / academic who described high heel shoes as '*beep* me shoes'. What she meant by this was that women who wear them are trying to attract sexual attention from men.
However, women who wear high heels do it willingly, foot binding was never entered into by a willing woman. It was imposed upon children. It was intensely painful, caused rotting flesh and made it impossible for women to move properly. High heels may cause discomfort, disfigurement and an inability to move freely, but it is not forced upon women, by the west or anyone else.

I actually detest Germain Grear for other ignorant and inflmatory statements she made regarding men, but I agree with her statement concerning high heels.
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No one is innocent.

[kinseikun]

I've always thought that way too! I've always hated high heels. What if I needed to run away from someone? That would suck. They are very uncomfortable, and even my boyfriend thinks they are weird. I think many women may wear them to be taller, and I only wear them for special occasions (like my graduation) and only for a little while. Otherwise my feet always hurt. I don't like shoes with a high heel. When I get new graduation shoes I will try to get a lower heel. I don't understand how women can walk. It sure does look like a form of female limitation.

[Komakino]

Hi Kinseikun,

Do you know about the other form of female self abuse which is becoming popular in China??
In an attempt to be more attractive to men and also employers, some young women are having their legs stretched. They wear a contraption on their legs that pulls the bones and makes the person about two to four inches taller!! I think it's pitiful that some people feel the need to go to such extreme lengths to alter their bodies. Breast implants are the same. Totally grotesque.

Also in Japan a lot of young women have their eyes altered to make them rounder and almond shaped, and to give them a 'double' eyelid (like westerners supposedly have) then they wear blue contact lenses!!

Thanks
Komakino
_________________
No one is innocent.

[ricky777]

i dont like high heels, but boots on woman look sexy

I also do weightlifting to attract woman - sometimes its intensely painful too