Voices from Iran: The Changing Lives of Iranian Women

Mahnaz Kousha interviewed fifteen Iranian women in Tehran who originally came from cities and towns throughout Iran. The youngest was 38, the eldest in her 50s. Extensive excerpts from their dialogues form the heart of this remarkable book.

With admirable candor the women explore their relationships with their mothers, fathers, husbands, and children. They reflect upon the institutions of courtship and marriage and address issues of childcare, housework, and women's employment. They talk openly about their concerns, ambitions, and frustrations. Finally, they discuss everyday personal problems and the solutions they devise to cope with such difficulties. Offset by telling commentary, these conversations offer significant firsthand insights into the life experiences of the modern Iranian woman and her brave search for identity.

Because it covers previously uncharted ground, this volume fills a sizable gap in the study of gender and family relationships in Iran. Abundant footnotes on similar studies in the United States and other countries not only add sociological richness, but also make the book relevant beyond Iran and the Middle East.

Author: Mahnaz Kousha
Publisher: Syracuse University Press
Published: 11/01/2002
Pages: 200
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.83lbs
Size: 9.12h x 5.94w x 0.74d
ISBN: 9780815629818

Review Citation(s):
Library Journal 12/01/2002 pg. 158
Multicultural Review 06/01/2003 pg. 79