THE BIRTH OF “WHITE MARRIAGE” AS ONE OF THE UNWANTED CHILD OF 1979 POST REVOLUTION

Abstract

Abstract. The purpose of this essay is to identify some of the main reason for couple’s cohabitation in Iran, where sexual relations outside of marriage are un-Islamic and subject to legal punishment. Many observers point to youth’s deteriorating economic condition, youths deviation from religious and traditional values, their lack of believe in Marriage, desire to experience relations without being legally bounded to marriage responsibilities, increased numbers of divorced men and women, influence of western culture, insecurity, lack of trust to sustainable marriage, marriage customs and ect as main reasons for emergence of so called “white marriage”. Official view it as foreign import practice denouncing sharia based family laws, and ultraconservative parents describe it’s practice unethical , immoral and insult to Iran’s marriage customs & norms, while new generations are turning backs on tradition and state-promoted values. Here I have tried to explore few of above variables contributing to emergence of cohabiting outside wed log in addition to how government and parents are filled with overwhelming sense of outrage over youth’s crossing over legal and traditional boundaries and furthermore ,conservative parent’s frustrations over their own inability to understand children of information century. The birth of “White Marriage” as an unwanted child of 1979 Post Revolution has no place in Iran and it can’t be institutionalized in ultraconservative religiously bounded society where moderates refuse to shelter it too. Key words: White marriage, Cohabitation, Sharia laws, Traditionalism, Youth’s Deviation from Religion, Conservatism, Traditional Marriage.