Advanced Placement (AP) World History Practice Exam

Foot-binding during the Song Dynasty was a significant practice that had profound implications on gender and social structures. The custom, which involved tightly binding the feet of young girls to prevent them from growing, became a symbol of beauty and status among the elite. The correct answer highlights the way this practice reinforced a patriarchal society. As foot-binding became widespread among the aristocratic classes, it served to restrict women's mobility and autonomy, effectively solidifying male authority. This not only reflected existing patriarchal beliefs but also reinforced them; a woman's worth was increasingly tied to her ability to conform to these beauty standards, which were dictated by men. In the broader context, foot-binding exemplified how social customs can affect women's roles in society and how those roles are often manipulated to uphold male dominance. While this practice may have been less common among the lower classes due to economic necessity, it nonetheless illustrated the growing strength of patriarchal structures during this period, particularly within the more affluent segments of society.