Modernizing Women: Gender and Social Change in the Middle East (Women and Change in the Developing World)

Exploring the impact of social change in the Middle East on women's status and roles, as well as women's varied responses, this book focuses on the gender dynamics of some of the major social processes in the region: economic development and women's employment, reforms and revolutions, the changing family, and Islamist movements. In doing so, it reveals that middle class women are at the centre of change and discourses about the change in the region. Moghadam crafts a conceptual framework based on the role of the state, development strategies, class, and culture in the shaping of women's lives. Writing from a Marxist-feminist perspective, she looks at the salience of the "woman question" and constructions of gender in the midst of social and political change. Data from a number of countries are presented, including in-depth case studies of Afghanistan and Iran. Valentine Moghadam's Seminal Study Of The Gendered Nature Of Political And Social Processes In The Middle East And North Africa Has Been Fully Updated To Reflect More Than A Decade Of Major Changes. This New Edition Reflects An Emphasis On The Impacts Of Both Globalization And Democratization. It Also Includes Entirely New Chapters On The Gender Dynamics Of Conflicts In The Region, On Women And The Arab Spring, And On The Achievements Of Women's Rights Movements. The Result Is An Indispensable Contribution To Our Understanding Of Current Popular Struggles For Modernity, Democratization, And Meaningful Citizenship. Revolution, Islamization, And Women In Iran. Afghanistan: The Saur Revolution And Women's Rights. Revolution, State-building, And Women -- 4. Women, Patriarchy, And The Changing Family. The Patriarchal Society And The Extended Household. The Neopatriarchal State And Personal Status Laws. The Middle Eastern Muslim Family. The Demographic Transition And The Family. Social Change And The Family: The Significance Of Education -- 5. Islamist Movements And Women's Responses. Causes And Social Bases Of Islamist Movements. Gharbzadegi: Problematics Of Class And Gender. Personal Status Laws And The Control Of Women. Women And Islamist Movements: Some Cases. Conclusions: Women's Responses To Islamist Movements -- 6. Women In The Islamic Republic Of Iran: Inequality, Accommodation, Resistance. Ideological Images Of Women And The Sex/gender System. Contradictions Of The Islamist Discourse. Population, Sex Ratio, Fertility. Literacy And Education. Employment. Fertility, Education, And Employment: The Connections. Development Imperatives And Ideological Contradictions. Empowerment Of Islamist Women -- 7. Women And Social Change In Afghanistan. Afghan Social Structure And Its Implications For Women. Afghanistan: Prototype Of A Weak State. Early Reforms Concerning Women. Characteristics Of Afghan Patriarchy. The Pdpa And Women's Rights. Internationalized Civil Conflict. From Revolution To Reconciliation. The Afghan Women's Council. The Democratic Youth Organization. Health. Literacy Drives. Women In The Refugee Camps -- 8. Conclusion: All That Is Solid Is Melting Into Air. Valentine M. Moghadam. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 257-297) And Index. Articles with reference chiefly to urban women in the state of Bihar, India.