genderexpectations

Gender Expectations in Iran by: Sadie Baker

In Iran gender expectations are a lot different then United States. In Iran, women have to wear veils to cover their hair and cover some of their face. They have to dress modestly and are looked upon in there society. Men don't have to dress a certain way. Men and women are suppose to be equal according to the holy book. On hot days men can dress comfortably and will be cool. Women are dressed head to toe in hot fabric that are mostly dark colors. Women have to keep there veils on at all times except when they are in their own house with their families. In 1980, the leaders of the Islamic Revolution made it mandatory for Iranian women to wear a veil. The veil can represent religious, freedom, fundamentalism, or an adherence to the law of Islam, and many other things. Not everyone agrees that they should be forced to wear the veils. For many people the veil is just a part of their life. If you don't wear you veil in public, you can get sent to jail for 60 to 70 days. In Persepolis, Marjis mom wasn't wearing her veil when her car broke down and two fundamentalist guys were walking by and insulted her. They told her a women like her should be pushed against a wall and raped and if she didn't want that to happen she should start wearing the veil.(pg. 74 Marjane Satrapi) Many women have gotten raped or sexual abused for not wearing their veil in public. Even women while they are playing sports they have to keep there veil on at all times. Iran's womens national soccer team is not allowed to play in Londons Olympics in 2012 quarterfinal wearing islamic head scarves, FIFA said. The veil is banned for safety reasons such as choking injurys. FIFA banned the veils in 2007 and also prohibit religious statements in teams uniforms. Iran wouldn't listen to the first banned and they would still will the veilin soccer games. But since they didnt stop wearing the veil in games they are not allowed to particpate in Londons Olympics in 2012.