Voices from Iran

Voices from Iran is authored by Mahnaz Kousha, an Iranian college professorwho lectures on issues relating to women in the Middle East at MacalesterCollege in Minnesota. The 10-chapter work provides a qualitative study, featuring15 Iranian women, that addresses the position of women in Iran.Participants ranged in age from from 38 to 55 and lived in the capital city ofTehran from 1995 to 1997. These women came from low- to high-incomefamilies, had educational backgrounds that range from high school diplomasto college/university degrees, and possessed employment experience in Iran.Even though the work can be considered a valuable piece in that it servesas a medium through which the voices of Iranian women can be heard, it doesnot necessarily reflect the experiences of all women due to the limitation ofthe research itself (region, language, religion). In addition, some of Kousha’sconclusions are far reaching and can be rendered debatable. For instance, theissue of why educated mothers still do not treat their daughters fairly andseem unable to help them question and resist their social status is notaddressed. The author also fails to provide an in-depth analysis regarding theimpact of family class and culture in shaping the subjectivities of their daughters.As well, the social and cultural impact of the Islamic revolution onwomen’s rights in Iran is not discussed. Moreover, a closing summary orassessment is not made at the end of the work.The book’s first three chapters include an introduction, a methodologychapter, and an introduction to the research participants. The analysis of thedata begins from chapters 4 and 5, where the different relationshipsbetween mothers and daughters are discussed. Some of the participants’experiences involve mothers who openly shared their problems and concernswith them such as the isolation and powerlessness that they have withtheir husbands or mothers-in-law. Others complained that their mothers discriminatedagainst them while giving their brothers preferential treatment.Of interest is the fact that the author does not explore the underlying factorsthat may have contributed to this problematic behavior such as parentaleducation, socioeconomic status, local culture, and religious issues.In chapter 6, Kousha analyzes the relationship between fathers anddaughters. The father is seen as the first man in his daughter’s life, providing ...