CONCUBINES
andFOOTBINDING
Female Subordination in China
Female Subordination in China
Traditional China was well-known for its demanding patriarchy. From as early as China's Shang dynasty circa 1766 BCE to 1122 BCE, women were subjected by men and treated as inferiors. Concubinage and foot binding are prime examples of this patriarchal control over women throughout Chinese history.
This website explores the history of concubinage and foot binding as well as the impact they have had on modern-day China.
Foot binding was a gruesome practice in which women were forced to break their toes in order to fit their feet into small three inch shoes. Click the button above for more information!
Concubinage was an ancient tradition in which wealthy men would have multiple consorts to exhibit their elite status. Click above to read more about Chinese concubines.
The practices of concubinage and foot binding may seem morally incorrect today, however there are more present-day parallels than one could imagine. Press the button above to read more!