Iranians in London: Voices of Exile (Studies in the Psychosocial)

Annotation This book explores the psychosocial significance of loss and exclusion in the lives of many Iranian immigrants living in London since the Iranian revolution of 1979. It addresses the experiences of middle-class Iranians who left Iran in both 'voluntary' contexts (immigration) and in 'enforced' contexts (exile). The author elucidates the experiences of 'ordinary' middle-class Iranians who chose to leave Iran given the socio-politico-cultural context of the changes wrought by the Islamic Republic in Iranian society. Mahnaz Sekechi argues that losses of country, liberty and security in Iran combined with varying degrees of social exclusion and downward mobility in London have led to an encapsulated sadness for many, despite their capacity for creative living. The book also demonstrates the value of psychosocial analysis in understanding dislocations in general and their effects on wellbeing Acknowledgements 7 Contents 8 1 Introduction 10 Abstract 10 Aim of the Book 10 The Approach of This Study 13 Structure of the Book 17 References 19 2 Historical Context: The Iranian Revolutions of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries and the Struggle for Freedom 21 Abstract 21 Introduction 21 Cyclical Pattern of Arbitrary Rule 22 Nineteenth-Century Iran: The Qajar Dynasty and Concessions to Western Powers 24 The Tobacco Revolt of 1891 25 The Constitutional Revolution of 1905–1911 26 The Twentieth Century and the Pahlavi Dynasty 27 Oil and Mohammad Mossadeq 30 Mohammad Reza Pahlavi: 1953–1978 32 The Islamic Revolution of 1979 36 The Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) 36 Women’s Views on Iran 39 The Republic’s Presidents (1980–2017) 42 Conclusion 47 References 50 3 Theoretical Framework: Migration, Diaspora, Social Suffering and Encapsulated Sadness 54 Abstract 54 Postcolonialism: Difference and Othering 56 Self-reflective Narratives of ‘Othering’ 61 Iranian Theorising and Research 66 Psychoanalytic Theories of Migration and Exile 69 Loss and Encapsulated Sadness 78 Psychosocial Studies 79 Circle of Sadness, Anger and Guilt 82 Mourning and Melancholia 84 The Duration and Process of Sadness and Melancholia 90 Social Suffering 91 References 94 4 Gol: Flight to Freedom 99 Abstract 99 Brief Biography 102 Gol’s Style of Presentation of His Story 103 Family—Early Psychosocial Experiences 105 Work 111 Social Suffering 116 Migration 120 Reflections and Conclusion 127 References 131 5 Mahmoud: ‘The Sorrow Which Has No Vent in Tears May Make Other Organs Weep’ (Dr. Henry Maudsley 1895; British Psychiatrist) 134 Abstract 134 Brief Biography 136 Mahmoud’s Presentation of His Story 138 Family—Early Psychosocial Experiences 145 Work 152 Migration 156 Reflections and Conclusions 161 References 164 6 Sahel: ‘Learning Is Very Important to Me—Maybe It’s This Issue That Keeps Me Alive’ 167 Abstract 167 Brief Biography 169 Told Story 171 Family—Early Psychosocial Experiences 180 Work, Politics, Gains and Losses 185 Migration 189 Reflections and Conclusion 192 References 196 7 Comparing Experiences Across the Stories: Loss and Belonging 199 Abstract 199 Comparing the Cases 200 Temporal and Spatial Phases of Case Evolutions 203 Iran Pre-migration 203 Sociopolitical Persecution 203 Anxieties About Difference 204 Loss of Basic Rights and Liberties 205 Anxieties Regarding Raising Children 208 Early Experiences in London 211 Impact of Migration 211 Participants with Similar Standards of Life in London as in Iran 211 Jasmine 211 Roya 212 Sue 213 Mehri 214 Cyrus 216 Participants with a Lower Standard of Life in London Than in Iran 217 Ali 218 Jafar 219 Mahmoud 221 Sahel 221 Later Experiences in London and Coping Strategies 222 Current Relationship to Iran 233 Conclusion 236 Reflections 237 References 238 8 Conclusion 242 Abstract 242 Researcher Reflexivity 243 Summary of Findings 246 Findings Beyond the Research Questions and Potential for Further Research 251 Final Remarks 252 References 254 Appendix 256 References 260 Index 276 This book addresses the experiences of middle-class Iranians who left Iran after the revolution of 1979, and have since been living in London. The author explores both 'voluntary' movement (immigration) and 'enforced' movement (exile) to better understand the experiences of 'ordinary' middle-class Iranian migrants. This group was not subjected to prison, torture or other overt forms of abusive treatments; and was not identified as 'opposing' the regime at a directly personal level. They nonetheless chose to leave Iran given the socio politico-cultural context of the changes wrought by the Islamic Republic in Iranian society. The book's central argument is that losses of country, liberty and security in Iran combined with varying degrees of social exclusion and downward mobility in London, have led to an enduring, encapsulated sadness for many of these once middle-class Iranians. This book underlines the importance of understanding the psychosocial significance of loss and exclusion in these (and other) migrant lives. It also demonstrates the value of psychosocial analysis itself in understanding dislocations and their effects on wellbeing Front Matter ....Pages i-x Introduction (Mahnaz Sekechi)....Pages 1-11 Historical Context: The Iranian Revolutions of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries and the Struggle for Freedom (Mahnaz Sekechi)....Pages 13-45 Theoretical Framework: Migration, Diaspora, Social Suffering and Encapsulated Sadness (Mahnaz Sekechi)....Pages 47-91 Gol: Flight to Freedom (Mahnaz Sekechi)....Pages 93-127 Mahmoud: ‘The Sorrow Which Has No Vent in Tears May Make Other Organs Weep’ (Dr. Henry Maudsley 1895; British Psychiatrist) (Mahnaz Sekechi)....Pages 129-161 Sahel: ‘Learning Is Very Important to Me—Maybe It’s This Issue That Keeps Me Alive’ (Mahnaz Sekechi)....Pages 163-194 Comparing Experiences Across the Stories: Loss and Belonging (Mahnaz Sekechi)....Pages 195-237 Conclusion (Mahnaz Sekechi)....Pages 239-252 Back Matter ....Pages 253-283