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Passionate Uprisings: Iran's Sexual Revolution

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Passionate Uprisings is a surprisingly informative book even for those who have kept up with social trends in contemporary Iran. Its most revealing message is that a large segment of Tehran's population has committed itself to a sexual revolution that packs a political punch.

The phrase "sexual revolution" will, for many Americans, conjure up images of the 1960s counter culture also famous for politically relevant sexual transformations. But given the fundamental differences between 21st century Tehran and 1960s America, this comparison will conceal as much as it reveals.

Something very few Americans ever faced was the prospect of incarceration and a brutal whipping for a sexual transgression. Furthermore, when Iran's conservative government-backed morality police are in high gear, "sexual transgression" can include such modest actions as wearing lipstick or letting one's hair slip out from under one's head covering. As these references to lipstick and errant locks of hair imply, Iranian women are more vulnerable than are men to assaults by the morality police, but both genders are subject to beatings and imprisonment for supposedly provocative behavior.

Even more astonishing than the ruthlessness of the authorities is the courage of the Iranians, particularly young Iranians, as they organize their sexually charged basement parties and gather in public places to flirt with outrageously straightforward intent. And for many of them, these acts of defiance are not only exciting for their own sake, they are also intentionally political.

Iranian-American author Pardis Mahdavi had more access to the relatively prosperous northern Tehranis than to Iranians of the relatively poor southern slums, and she is forthright in pointing out this aspect of her research. Being an anthropologist, she relied heavily on participant observation while she lived -- on and off over a period of seven years -- among middle and upper class Iranians. She supplemented the data she gathered in this way with scores of interviews with social workers, doctors, public health providers, and other Iranians representing a variety of ages and social statuses.

The material provided in this book covers not only attitudes toward premarital and extramarital sex, but also such rarely investigated topics as the motivations behind the use (or non-use) of condoms and young Iranians' understandings of HIV and other STIs. Passionate Uprisings is a treasure trove of information on current trends in Iranian society. It also has the added benefit of painting a very human picture of the people of Iran -- a welcome feature in light of the tendency of some media sources to demonize this fascinating country.

This book does an excellent job of depicting the level of frustration of a large portion of Iranians today. It goes a long way in helping Westerners understand the anger and protests that erupted after the last elections why so many were willing to risk so much (life & personal freedom) to try to enable change in this very closed and controlled country.

Having interviewed Pardis on my radio show, I was excited to share my thoughts about the book and her overall intention of writing it.

PASSIONATE UPRISINGS allows you to see another view of Iran that is not talked about alot, especially in the states. Their views on sex and sexuality are interesting in that in some ways the thoughts of some Iranian people are not that far from some in the states--though the actions might be a stark contrast.

Pardis chronicles the experiences she had in trying to understand what was happening in the country, and the people she talked with were able to share the truth that they lived in a way that was honest and raw.

This is a book you should definitely read and then find a way to learn more on your own. You might be surprised at what you find.

The initial topic has a huge potential for discussions and studies by various people. I've always believed that the level of sexual repression in Islamic countries is a big source of being hateful, holding radical views and not having a stable life. Most famous Jihadists including those who attacked the NYC on Sep 11th 2001 or the attackers in Bombay in India a few months ago had severe sexual repressions. I've always jokingly of course, told my western friends that the west should bomb Iran to freedom not through smart bombs or laser munitions but by dropping tons and tons of Playboy & Hustler magazines or porn DVDs. A sexual revolution in Iran the way it happened in the west in 50s, 60s and early 70s (Sexual freedoms) is a great peaceful way to open up the Iranian society. Having had thoughts like this, I thought Ms. Mahdavi's book (which is more like a college research essay) could tell me how this new sexual uprising is unfolding in Iran. I was terribly disappointed to know that she has based her research on ONLY 7 individuals in Iran and that she has basically done little background check on her subjects. Most of her subjects come from upper middle class or high class families where the social and traditional laws are already lax and less intense and therefore they are not really the problem in today's Iran. Our problem is the lower level parts of the populace where radical and religious views are intense and more deep rooted. She has done nothing to uncover those people. And she has written a book based on talking to 7 individuals through a period of several years. This hardly can be encouraging. I believe the sexual revolution is taking place in Iran, I never dispute that. But Mahdavi's book is not the best way of finding out how it is unfolding within the society. 7 people can not really be a revolutionary movement. Moreover, I think Ms. Mahdavi has tried to paint a rosie image of Iran for the foreign readers especially the liberal ones in the US. I might know why she has done it: That rosie picture could help her return to Iran more often and most likley regime won't bar her from re-entering the country in the future. That's understandable since she would like to study Iran but this approach will not make her any more credible and the picture she has tried to convey to the west is hardly true and close to reality.

I am going to wait for the book by Ms. Janet Afary to come out. May be it will be a different and more accurate study of the issue.
Sexual Politics in Modern Iran

Given all the unrest in Iran when the Iranians are looking for
modest liberties, this book gives real insight into some of
that scene.

Like the tip of a gigantic iceberg, Ms. Mahdavi's book on Iran's sexual revolution vividly describes the history, frustration, hopes, and fears of Iran's youth which embrace sex as a means of rebellion. Find out the complexities which created and continues to influence Iran's sexual revolution.

I have followed the recent elections in Iran with fascination and I wonder if an implosion or an explosion is building. If it happens it will, no doubt, have repercussion which will reverberate throughout the 21st century.

I recommend this fascinating read even if you are not interested in Iran or sex! This country on the opposite side of the Earth from the US will continue to play an important part in the world community and it behooves all Americans and westerners to understand Iran's culture, mores, and politics--why not start at the top and work down? Healing the Rift: Bridging the Gap Between Science and Spirituality

I didn't know much about Iran before meeting Pardis Madhavi, but it is such an interesting and amazing place. After hearing her lecture I immediately bought her book. It is awesome, not too heavy and plenty of stuff to make you laugh. Her experiences are remarkable and her writing seems to do it justice.

Having been fortunate enough to have a friend recommend this book, I found this book a cut above to say the least. The story was inspiring and I had a tough time putting the book down at times. A must read!

I thought it was well written and extremely real. Very seldom you find someone bold enough to switch the lights on in a dark room. Good work!