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Modernity’s Double-Edged Sword

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There have been many influences that have transformed the positionality of Iranian women,
sparking debate around their societal roles and personal freedoms. The clash between modernist
and Islamicist discourses reshaped the roles of Iranian women. For example, a premodern voice
was oral and rarely circulated, but modern transformations changed this. “The coming of the
book” allowed women’s voices to reach a broader audience, including men. This shift not only
expanded the reach of women’s words but also created a change in their language (Najmabadi, p.
3-5). Women’s use of language went from being openly “sexual” and having an informal tone to
being more “sanitized.” Words with explicit sexual connotations were replaced with more neutral
terms. This change was part of a larger trend and sociopolitical shift where women’s
representation was being redefined to fit new mixed-gender spaces.

Modern education, including the establishment of new schools for women, was also an important
factor that affected their positionality. These schools introduced new topics that went beyond
traditional religious curriculum and incorporated subjects like home management and hygiene.
While this effort was established to “elevate” women’s status through education, it was also very
misogynistic. The focus on women learning "home management" and "husband-management"
alongside subjects like science reflects an underlying belief that women’s primary role was still centered around home life (Najmabadi, p.56-59)

Another major factor in changing the roles of Iranian women was the introduction of new social
norms and etiquette as part of modernization. Schools taught women to act “well-behaved” and
“quiet,” which was their way of incorporating women in a public presence but still holding
control. This new focus reinforced traditional expectations about how they should behave
(Najmabadi, p. 65-70). By setting standards like these, the “modernization” efforts opened up
new roles for women and created new limits on their behavior. Overall these changes highlight
the ongoing struggle between progress and tradition, and the continued battle of an Iranian
women’s place in society.

- K.A.

References:
Najmabadi, Afsaneh. “Veiled Discourse-Unveiled Bodies.” Feminist Studies 19, no. 3 (January 1, 1993): 487. https://doi.org/10.2307/3178098.

admin. 2024. “Barriers to Education, Sports, and Arts for Women and Girls in Iran.” NCRI Women Committee. June 7, 2024. https://wncri.org/2024/06/07/education/.

 

This page has paths:

  1. Origins of the Uprising Nahid Siamdoust - UT Austin Iran Collab Network
  2. Khers Asali Asal Khers

Contents of this tag:

  1. Vices of Men and Modernization
  2. 1979 Revolution in Context

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