Gender Role the Contemporaneous Society Essay

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Both foot binding as well as kimono wearing were accompanied by rituals where only women were allowed. Nor Chinese or Japanese men were allowed to participate to the rituals. Aside from the primary scope of the ceremonies, the practices would also help women bond. The older women, the experienced geishas in Japan or the mother in China, would pass on her wisdom to the younger female, the novice geisha or the daughter. While helping the young Japanese woman put on her kimono, the more experienced geisha would discuss the role of the kimono within society. When binding her daughter's feet, the Chinese mother would tell her how small feet would help her find a rich husband. In both cases, men did not play any part.

Both articles detail the actions that would occur. This a main difference between the two practices as one was extremely painful, and one was rather pleasant. For instance, the foot binding procedure saw that the "girl's feet were tightly bound with bandages, which forced the small toes inward and under the sole of the foot, leaving only the big toe to protrude. Then the heel and toe were drawn forcefully together, breaking the arch of the foot" (Cross-Cultural Dressing). In putting on the kimono, the practice was more pleasant, and the main role of the tradition was to pass on knowledge on how to wear and choose the proper kimono. "Okasan slipped it (the obi-age) over the pad that held the back loop of the obi secure and as she tied it in the front she said 'Here is a trick for keeping the front knot in place. All the geishas tie their obi-age this way'" (2).

Another major point of difference between the two articles is the time lines they refer to. While the writing on the Chinese feet binding reveals historical facts, the one of the Japanese kimonos presents contemporaneous data. In both pieces however, the authors mention the view over western clothing.

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Historically, Chinese men and women would argue that feet binding was no more painful than the western tradition of having women wear corsets. Modern views see both traditions as forms of women's oppression by the men, who had to point out a major difference between genders. The contemporaneous approach to kimonos is more relaxed, meaning generally that Japanese women seldom wear the kimonos. They often only own one or two, which they only wear at highly formal occasions. Foremost, they often feel relieved when they can replace it with western clothing.

The ultimate difference between the two sources of information is the continuity of the traditions. In this order of ideas, while the practice of wearing the kimono has indeed been reduced, it has not yet seized to exist. The same cannot be said about feet binding, which has been banned by governments and frowned on by the modern Chinese.

Conclusions

The articles analyzed share several similarities, but also differences. First of all, they both address matters of Asian culture and the role played by the females within the Chinese and Japanese cultures. Wearing kimonos and having small feet was seen as a sign of beauty in both countries, but the most important difference is the fact that the Chinese practice implied pain, whereas kimono wearing could at most generate discomfort. In China for instance, feet binding was generated by males' need to feel superior and is now seen as a form of oppression against women. Both methods of enhancing beauty were differentiated according to social classes and styles. They both implied rituals for women exclusively, throughout which stronger relationships would be built between the novice and the more experienced woman. Feet binding has been seized, whereas kimono wearing still continues nowadays......

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