Foot binding was a unique Chinese culture that not only bound Chinese females physically but spiritually. Small feet were considered pretty and large feet were considered not feminine. So, many Chinese women bound their feet to fit into small shoes before meeting their potential husband because they wanted to marry someone with higher social status as men wanted to marry a pretty woman. Sadly, some women cut their toes and damaged their feet. With such a small feet, women could not walk far. They were confined at home and not encouraged to have education and participate in social events. They were bound at home serving husband and children, which was considered a virtue of a woman. I would show pictures of Chinese women with binding feet and have students compare women's feet yeterday and today. Through binding feet students can have a glimps of Chinese women's lives in the past and appreciate their freedom today.
