Sexual politics in Iran Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Sexual politics in Iran - Research Paper Example Even as modernity continues to encroach into various parts of the Arab world, Iran has stood firm on some of the sexual issues regarding her citizens, forging a unique style of politics in the sexual context that attaches some key Islamic laws into it. Initially, Iran was dominated with pre-modern practices that included, slave and concubine marriage, a phenomenon that indicated power in the male gender (Shahidian 146). At later stages during the infringement of the western cultures in Iran, certain aspects of the Iranian sexual politics were abolished due to their oppressive nature and this paved the way to reforms in the marriage sector and the redefinition of sexual purity (Afary 345). Fundamentally, Iran is an Islamic nation led by an Islamic president and therefore all the laws regarding marriage and sexual roles have to be viewed from the Islamic context (Vakil 51). With this in mind, it is worthy to note that gender disparity and sexual oppression are one of the most significa nt challenges affecting the Islamic nation especially in the wake of modernity where the world operates as a global unit (Rieffer-Flanagan 121). ... In this regard, it is important to note that Iran has been a stringent follower of the Islamic laws (Afary 345). In a country dominated by neo-colonialism, religious, and patriarchal views, sexual policies have been kept at the back for many years to maintain the status quo (I?lkkaracan 28). For many Iranians including the womenfolk, the existing laws and policies regarding the sexual context are not only draconian but also punitive (Afary 382). This means that the sexual laws are meant to instill heavy penalties on the defaulters to the extent of bordering on massive human rights violations. Although the west has always agitated for reforms in the sexual laws of the Arabic country, it is evident that several key forces have strongly opposed the move claiming it is a recipe for the dilution of their ideals (Vakil 84). Perhaps it is crucial to highlight the major tenets of the Arabic sexual laws, particularly those pertaining to Iran as a state, and the political influence on the sexu al laws (Rieffer-Flanagan 111). Essentially, the sexual politics of Iran is marred with pre-modern practices that encompass the ancient marriages whereby the bride has to be identified after birth. This actually means that a man could book his bride right from childbirth and therefore sexual purity was a matter of great significance (Shahidian 133). Once a woman has been booked for a particular man, she is bound to marry the man in her maturity no matter the circumstances. In the modern world, this appears as a significant affront to the female gender that deserves reviewing (Afary 355). Pre-modern practices Another aspect of the Iranian sexual laws that perhaps does not resonate well with a vast majority of the