Ethnography of Body Experience in Iran Today: My Mother is always Chasing Me.

Abstract

How do we experience our bodies? This intentionally broad question was taken into the daily life of society to let the lived experiences guide us. This ethnographic study was conducted among a friendship group of four girls born in the 1980s, who exhibit diversity in their dress and lifestyle. Through extended conversations and accompanying this group in various settings, we gradually gained insight into their understanding and encounter with their bodies. Among the extensive field notes, a relatively consistent pattern emerged. In this pattern, individuals initially identify their bodies based on familial values and standards. At a certain point, influenced by external factors, they begin to question these patterns and start rethinking and creating their own unique patterns. However, the individualized body does not easily manifest within the family context. As a result, people often lead dual lives, which is highly exhausting. Eventually, they decide to inform their families about some of their personal patterns, which also comes with challenges and never fully materializes. While recent developments in Iranian society, particularly the "Women, Life, Liberty" movement, highlight the role of social and political institutions in the embodiment of women, the findings of this study indicate that the family institution, particularly the mother (and even the mother-in-law), still holds significant authority.