http://www.iranian.com/Women/2005/June/Rights/Images/1.jpg
With the exception of the Westernized and secularized upper and middle classes, Iranian society prior to the Revolution practiced public segregation of the sexes. In the traditional view, an ideal society was one where women were confined to the home and where they carried out the assorted domestic tasks associated with managing a household and nuturing children. Men worked in the public sphere, which consisted of working in the fields, factories, markets, and offices. Deviations from this ideal, especially in the case of women, ultimately reflected adversely upon the familiy’s reputation. During the Pahlavi dynasty the government was the main promoter of change in traditional attitudes toward sexual segregation. It sought to discourage veiling of women at official functions and encouraged mixed participation in a variety of public gatherings. The result was to bring the government into social and religious conflict with the Shia clergy, who fought to defend traditional values. (Kousha)
Among the ideas introduced into Iran from the West was the notion that women should participate in the society. The Pahlavi government encouraged women to get as much education as possible and to participate in the labor force at all levels. (Kousha) After 1936, when Reza Shah banned the chador, veiling came to be perceived among the minority of elite and secular middle-class women as a symbol of oppression. (Mohammadi) Before the Revolution, Iranian society was already polarized between the traditionally minded majority and a minority of involved women who were dedicated to improving the status of women. As early as 1932, Iranian women held a meeting of the Oriental Feminine Congress in Tehran at which they called for the right of women to vote, compulsory education for both boys and girls, equal salaries for men and women, and an end to polygamy. In 1963 women were given the right to vote and to hold public office. (Mohammadi) The Women of Iran had reached a milestone in the evolution of Iranian society.
Following the Revolution, the status of women changed. This major change in the social, religious, and political aspects of Iranian society shows how capable Iran is to globalize. Many of the tradition values are rooted in religious morale. Since religion has such a dominant influence in Iran, promoting change or the incorporation of Western influences is near impossible and looked at as sacrilege. The significance of the progress women have achieved in Iran shows the potential Iran possesses to globalize. Currently in Iran, the upcoming generation is fighting for change and Westernization.
-Victoria
Victoria I agree that Iran has a lot of potential to globalize and I concur that it will be through the younger generations that this goal of equality will be achieved. As the youth bring their ideas into Iran, and as they are the ones who come to power, I feel as if women within the next forty years will finally see a fairer way of life. It will take a less conservative government and women will need to stand up for their rights but I do believe it is possible and that it will happen rather soon. However, the Muslim religion is rather oppressive to women by nature and it is rather hard to change religion. I think this matter will call for a separation of religion and state, in order to give women the equality they deserve. I think with such a highly religiously influenced government it will be very hard for these laws to change and it will be a very difficult struggle for the women of Iran. I think women’s rights in Iran is a leading impediment on globalization and that once the condition for women improve, I believe the extent of Iran’s capability to expand globally is limitless.
ReplyDelete-Patrick
Vicky, I agree with most of your statements about the rise and fall of the relatively higher status of women in Iran. Their influence in the home and society has most certainly played a role in the changing face of Iranian culture. However, I disagree with your statements regarding the incorporation of Western influences in their religion. Already, it has been demonstrated that Western influences can successfully be incorporated into their society (the Iranian university system is similarly modeled after American & European universities - the University of Tehran). Why not, then, can religious beliefs regarding women change as such? I think that the evolution of the status of women is an integral part of a globalized society. Although the hosting of summits is a step in the right direction, Iranians must have the desire to evolve their culture (notice the usage of the word "evolve", and not "change"). Iranians must be the voice of change in their own society, especially in the case of women.
ReplyDelete-David
Victoria, I also agree with your analysis that Iran has the potential to become a country possessing more equal rights between men and women. Also, Patrick brings up an interesting proposal of a separation of church and state being the answer to this. However, I do not think such a plan of action would be feasible, at least not in the current political state. Due to the fact that Islam is such an intricate part of everyday life, and that the government regulates education (religious education included), the separation of the two would require nothing short of a near complete overhaul of the central government. Anything short of this would only result in protests that are continually quelled. This is simply due to the fact that the current heads of state, by separating religion from state, would lose a considerable amount of power, and more importantly, a means with which they can control the population. Do to this, such a plan of action is not feasible until the government has been given an overhaul with people in favor of such action.
ReplyDelete-Jeremy
I too agree Iran has the ability to globalize. As a whole the populous of the country desires a more globalized society but they are repressed by radical rule. While religion does have an effect on women and their rights, I think it is mostly the radical forms of the Islamic religions that are the cause for women being oppressed. The traditional faith does not have so many stringent laws regarding women and their rights. If the people of Iran- primarily the women-can begin to voice their opinion, Iran will begin do experience reforms that will give women more rights and in turn facilitate their country's ability to globalize.
ReplyDelete-Jimmy