Veiled Feminism

Feminism is of some common expressions known to almost every observer, namely claiming equal, indiscriminate access to sports, cultural and political opportunities, or the girls becoming less willing to get married. However, a subtle feminism does exist in which religious sections are involved as well. This subtle layer of feminism, which is indeed of a feminist nature but to which least attention is paid, is “women’s dissatisfaction with just fulfilling the role of a noble wife and/or mother.” This tendency demonstrates itself in the girls’ willingness to pursue higher education, acquire job opportunities or involve in social activities. Once such efforts replace women’s primary duty, i.e. playing the role of a perfect wife and an affectionate mother, it should be regarded an indication of a chronic problem.
For such women, devoting themselves to the husband and family is not satisfactory. They can not justify some Islamic traditions, such as the famous one, “the noblest strife of the woman is to treat and serve her husband the best.”

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The author of above paragraphs, who blogs in Armankhahi (which roughly means Idealism), is an old friend of mine. He (yeah, I know, you expected the author to be a He) usually writes concise, clear-cut texts to express his ideas. You might find the above an indeed incomplete analysis of the current gender issues in Iran, or just a confession to an increasingly evident fact, i.e. that the Iranian women are no more satisfied with their traditional roles. The author tries to diagnose current status, while you may appreciate it. Choice is yours. Or ours?