Confucianism imposed significant limitations on women, restricting their rights and expectations.
Women were denied the right to own property and were essentially regarded as the possessions of their fathers until marriage, at which point they became the property of their husbands. Within this belief system, a woman's worth within her family was often measured by her ability to give birth to a son. Failing this, she was expected to fulfill her Confucian duties by serving the needs of her father-in-law and mother-in-law. Following strict etiquette was crucial for women under Confucian principles, requiring them to maintain a subdued presence, speaking only when spoken to, and leaving the house only when completely covered by a shawl.
For women in the upper class, the practice of foot binding was considered a status symbol. By undergoing the painful process of breaking and constricting the bones in their feet, women could signify their elevated social status and demonstrate that they were exempt from manual labor.
Does this source seem to suggest that the Song Dynasty was a golden age? Identify one sentence from this source that supports your answer.