History KS3 / GCSE: How foot binding affected women in China

In this short film the practice of foot binding is explained and illustrated through interviews and artifacts.

Set in an informal museum of foot binding shoes, the styles, decoration and process of foot binding are explained and illustrated by bringing to life the reality of the practice.

Dr. Amanda Foreman meets with a woman who is of the last generation of foot bound women from the 1930's.

What follows is a rare first-hand account of history through her childhood and adulthood experiences connected with the practice.

This short film is from the BBC Two series, The Ascent of Woman.

Teacher Notes

Pupils compare and contrast the ideas of beauty and fashion to see if there are any common themes regarding the position of women within the respective societies in question.

Consider how women have worn shoes that disfigure or injure feet in our society.

Perhaps pupils can discuss how fashion dictates to women in the current day and how and why it influences.

Curriculum Notes

This short film is suitable for teaching history at KS3 and KS4/GCSE in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and Fourth Level and National 4 and 5 in Scotland.

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