22 May 2013
Wednesday, 28 December 2011 19:00

Lessons in Love

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In the last decade, divorce rates have been skyrocketing in Iran. The shameful reality of divorce for an Islamic country, which insists everything it has done since its birth in 1979 are correct, is hard to swallow.

It is very easy to detect government efforts to address this new phenomenon. For example, when one tunes into state media, various campaigns are taking place to educate the public on how to have healthy families and prevent divorces.

Numerous talk shows features psychologists and marriage counselors, while seminars and work shops on relationship topics are offered in town and cultural centers. Banners on streets advocate for lowering the standard of lives for newlyweds, while religious figures deliver sermons on ideal marriage and functional families.

As a witness to this effort, and especially as a woman, you have just got to love Iran when, almost always, the targets of these educational ads and talks are women. They are invited to lower their demands, be pious and pleasing to their spouses. The men get little "advice" in turn.

An article titles reads:

The National Youth Organization announces marriage criteria based on government standards:

Criteria for Men: Strength, broad chest, social status, virtuous, protective abilities, good intentions, intelligence and ability to work.

Criteria for females: appropriate body proportions, delicate hair, eyebrows and voice, virgin and chaste, obedience to her husband.


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About the Columnist: Parisa Saranj

Parisa is a journalism graduate from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and is currently a MFA Creative non-Fiction writing candidate at Goucher College. She began writing about her native country, Iran, at her personal blog IranStories.com to share everything she loves about Iran and Iranians, minus all the politics (if that's possible).

Tired of being asked the most basic questions about Iran, all based on stereotypes and lies, Parisa just wanted to provide a pure image of what life is like in Iran...what is it like to be an Iranian woman. Now, Parisa brings her I Heart Iran section from IranStories.com exclusively to Aslan Media.

Follow Parisa on Twitter @parissasaranj
Contact Her Via Email At: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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