Sexual Politics in Modern Iran

Description

Janet Afary is a native of Iran and a leading historian. Her work focuses on gender and sexuality and draws on her experience of growing up in Iran and her involvement with Iranian women of different ages and social strata. These observations, and a wealth of historical documents, form the kernel of this book, which charts the history of the nation's sexual revolution from the nineteenth century to today. What comes across is the extraordinary resilience of the Iranian people, who have drawn on a rich social and cultural heritage to defy the repression and hardship of the Islamist state and its predecessors. It is this resilience, the author concludes, which forms the basis of a sexual revolution taking place in Iran today, one that is promoting reforms in marriage and family laws, and demanding more egalitarian gender and sexual relations.

Janet Afary is Professor of History and Women's Studies in the Department of History at Purdue University. Her previous publications include The Iranian Constitutional Revolution: Grassroots Democracy, Social Democracy, and the Origins of Feminism (1996) and, with Kevin Anderson, the award-winning Foucault and the Iranian Revolution: Gender and the Seductions of Islamism (2005).

' ... the work is seminal and extraordinary. Janet Afary has raised a high bar on the many, many issues surrounding the politics of gender and sexuality in Iran.' Thomas Ricks, Professor of Modern Iranian History 'Janet Afary takes us beyond gender politics into a world few outsiders understand. Once again she proves herself to be an astute and original observer who sees beneath the veneer of modern Iranian life.' Stephen Kinzer, New York Times 'The narratives and anecdotes provide a vivid real-life texture to the history Janet Afary is uncovering. In short, the text is alive and engaging!' Miriam Cooke, Professor of Middle East Women's Studies, Duke University 'Sexual Politics in Modern Iran is one of the most comprehensive works done on this topic up to this moment. It combines modern scholarship and a deep understanding of the gender issues in Iran.' Farhad Khosrokhavar, Le Monde 'Janet Afary's remarkable book gives an unparalleled account and analysis of changing gender relations in modern Iran's history and society ... a unique and thoughtful work that sheds new light on Iran today.' Nikki Keddie, Professor of Iranian Studies, UCLA