Iran Election: 'Marriage Crisis' Threatens Ahmadinejad's Rule

Time.com:

My friends Farhad and Mahnaz are the quintessential Iranian couple. They are both engineers with a shared passion for hiking and movies and have been smitten with each other for six years - but Farhad and Mahnaz can't afford to get married because even a one-bedroom apartment is beyond their reach, despite their both having decent middle-class jobs. This reality has preyed on their relationship, compelling them to consider leaving Iran. And they blame the government for their situation.

UPDATE: The photo that originally appeared with this story was a stock image of a couple apparently in love. It has been brought to the HuffPost's attention that this image was previously used with a story on marriage in India.

Read the whole story: Time.com

Comments

[vishix]

lol lazy huffpo. this same stock photo was used on a story about india and marriage or something.

[aFlyoverPerson]

I keep trying to find something about the candidates in the election and find stuff like this. Who is running and what are they about? Any journalists there?

[brandnewstuff]

That stock photos was used not to long ago as an image for another message and it had to do with love and swine flu if I am not mistake- use and reuse to soon?

[Durango]

The Iranian election, just like American elections, will probably be decided by domestic issues not foreign policy.

Which makes it just as bad for Ahmedinijad. He ran as an economic populist. And has not paid off on his promises.

The fact that he plays the fool on the world stage can't help much.

But then GW Bush got re-elected so who knows?

BTW revolutions do not occur when people are most oppressed. They occur when people are hopeful.

[pragmaticdallasite]

Wow, this kinda sounds EXACTLY what I'm going through now in the USA.

[lydia]

Experiencing the same difficulty in Oz. Property prices have inflated beyond the reach of most young grads.

[noahark]

young people are naive

[Doomestic]

Sounds like New york to me.

[Snowflower]

Yes, yes it does.

[davidwayneosedach]

It used to be a beautiful country under the Shah. So beautiful. So free.

[Usama]

Dave, please read and study Iranian history outside of the pro-Shah viewpoint in order to gain a balanced pespective.

[OceanSize]

I think that was sarcasm from david.

[Mollabaji]

but braindeads cannot learn.

[Doomestic]

Yeah, the Savak was such a noble intelligence agency.

[SF13]

lol

[NPA]

People just want to live their lives regardless of the nationality.

[pragmaticdallasite]

Including Cleveland and Loretta!

[CFSM]

no political system perfect, however enshrining a fundamental ability for citizenry to vote a Government out when time truly up seems a practical working necessity in this increasingly complex world (not as if the model hasn't been around a while - Rome had it and lost it, all too easily)

when people given this chance they embrace with gusto, any country, anywhere

[Joethepauper]

Good! Less marriage means fewer children. Fewer children means fewer mouths to feed. Fewer mouths to feed means more environmental sustainability. When the Middle East runs out of fossil fuels, they won't be able to feed themselves. Cutting-down on population now means less starvation and suffering for future generations, not only for Iran, but all of us.

[lasublime]

you got t all sorted!

[Usama]

Iran is really not that radical. its a UN member, it recognizes and generally adheres to international laws and treaties. It has normal trade relations with dozens of nations.
The notion that Iran is radical stems from the political rhetoric of the past 30 years. Iran was ruled by a dictator that was installed by a foreign imperial power. The shah was aided by a ruthless intel agency, the SAVAK, which worked closely with the CIA. The 'radical' label came about because the Iranian people had the audacity to oust the shah- a tendency which America wanted to repress because it was doing the same thing throughout the Middle East and Asia. America still has a string of dictators which it props up.
America also sent Iraq to invade Iran causing a 7 year war and millions of deaths on both sides.
The fact that Iranian youth today might oust the Iranian system and join America's ranks is a kind of myopia born of narcissism, condescension, and arrogant self righteousness. Its imperious.

Every heard of wanting people to do better for themselves but to no benefit to yourselves?
American media is pushing Iranian revolts so American companies can gain access to Iranian resources and power. Its a selfish call. Iranian youth might be stupid enough to go for the bait, but the millions of Iranian war vets aren't going to let them.

[SharpDressedMan]

You have it the other way around. A lot of countries adopted American culture or parts of it and want more. Iranian youth is no different. The change is coming from within and signs of the change appeared before Ahmadinejad. It's unfortunate that George Bush didn't see the opportunity to normalize relations with Iran after 9/11.

[Usama]

Im sorry, but you dont know what you are talking about. Most likely, you know what the MSM wants you to know about Iran. And the MSM (mainstream media) colludes with American corporate leaders (energy, nationbuilding, military) in confrontationalism with Iran. American oil firms want to lay claim to Iranian oil just like they' did with Iraq.
Again, the absence of altruism and the desire for Iranian Americaphilia is a host of narcissistic tendencies in the American psyche.

Ive watched and read a great deal about Iran in the past 3 years as Cheney and Israel were threatening to invade, and the vast amount of MSM as well as leftleaning media was superficial anecdotals about economic hardships and youth disgruntlement. Im not seeing a serious opposition leader, a Lech Lewinslza. Nor are there serious political parties on the cusp of taking over, like the Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt.

What I see are reports of America financing covert operations, financing media and 'covert' efforts to overthrow the Iranian regime, and politicans calling for American intervention in Iran. I also know of the secular, rich Iranian diaspora which has tried to capture the support of Iranian youth with their secular culture. But it doesnt change the fact that millions of people were killed for and by America's will. That's not forgotten.

[Mollabaji]

Sharp,

Name one country you claim want more of Ameican "culture". America does not have a "culture" to give except greed, violence, individualism and social irresponsibility. Wake up from your delusional sleep.

[noahark]

I ran has it's own banking system which actually may have been good for them given the current global crisis
Ann Curry's piece did not show a gloom and doom country
It is ironic that students may be the cause for ousting the current leader given they were behind the iranian hostage crisis and that some embraced the old values because they were upset that the Shah has outlawed the requirement of female's covering their heads

[pragmaticdallasite]

That sounds plausible. When I read that 60% of their universities are attended by women, I was thinking wow they must not be that radical.

[pragmaticdallasite]

I ment 60% of their students are women

[zaz33]

Usama - very good information

Any country that isn't capitalist friendly enough can expect to be in the cross hairs.

The US never has serious issues with right wing capitalist friendly countries.

[bismillah001]

Good point.

[Hnorc]

Wrong point. Iran is very capitalist friendly. We just are not part of it. Ask the Europeans.

[SharpDressedMan]

Iran's theocracy will burst and collapse within a generation or two.

Younger generations in the Middle East don't want their lives run by oppressive medieval geriatrics.

[PoliticalAmazon]

I believe that the theocracy is in place because it is the one form of government that the See Eye A's covert attempts at political upheval cannot subvert.

I believe that is why it was instituted in the first place, and why it remains in place.

Understand, the business elite in Iran have tremendous power. If they wanted the theocracy to end, it would end.

Iran is changing, and the mullahs will have to accept it. They are not fools. They will use their power to try to guide the change, but they won't take a stand where they will lose.

[SharpDressedMan]

No doubt the mullahs will resist. They already did. But no regime can last forever and the majority of the country is younger and increasingly fed up with theocracy.

What's going on in Iran is similar to the culture wars going on here in America. The religious groups here lost a lost of power and continue to lose more.

It's pretty sad when two engineers who make a decent living can't afford to live in an apartment by themselves. Ahmadinejad failed to provide a prosperous economy.

[Mollabaji]

Sharpi,

Keep on dreaming.

[DSOTM]

If this is really a free election, I hope the people of Iran show the USA that they don't want a government influenced by religion.

I do hope the modern people of Iran finally get a say in living free.

[Mollabaji]

DSOTM,
Your comment illustrates how uninformed you are about Iranian society and its history. Iran's culture is a mixture of nationalism and Shi'i Islam. In fact, Shi'ism has been a major part of Iranian culture for over one thousand years. You think American with your non-existent "American culture" and only a 200 year history of a mish much of different cultures.
Another misconception I find is your paralelling "modern" with "free". Whatever each term means to you, they have different meanings in different cultures. It seems MSM has truly brainwashed you.

[OceanSize]

Enlighten us. How do Iranians define "free" and "modern"? Would you say that Iranians currently enjoy what they perceive to be modern and free, or is it something you feel they have not attained yet? Would you say that they are satisfied with the status quo? If not, then why do you disagree with DSOTM?

I don't think he/she is going that far out on a limb to say that Ahmadinejad is not providing much freedom or moderninity. If I'm wrong, I would love to learn why. Seriously.

[lianmolive]

MSM is used way to much as an excuse, though I would agree that many people are mis-under-informed. I do disagree with dsotm on the basis that even our government is very much influenced by religion, as with most societies, including Israel. I think D is trying to say that there is much oppression there... example... youths who simply want to hold hands in public, being jailed for not wearing hijab in public, freedom of press, etc. This is where religion intersects with government.

[PoliticalAmazon]

Persia's roots in Zoroastrianism also plays a large role in Iranian culture today. This is something the Brits and Americans, in all their attempts to install freindly puppet dictators so the U.S. and the Brits could get the oil for free, and subjugate many Iranians to slave labor to produce it.

A basic precept is that citizens are to loylly follow a just autonomous ruler who, through his rulership, brings the country to power and prosperity. If the ruler proves not to be just, and/or whose leadership harms the people and, therefore, the country, the citizens are OBLIGATED to remove th ruler from power.

Democracy is not wanted in Iran or Iraq. It is a foreign concept, and the type of rulership does not end up benefitting the citizens.

We must stop interfering in other countries to gain free access to their natural resources, and using the guise of "bringing democracry­."

It is a dishonest and ignorant approach, and one that is doomed to fail.

[lianmolive]

We don't always interfere because we are pushing democracy. Saudi Arabia is a perfect example. We let them be with all their oppression­s... why... because we get the oil. If we really wanted to push for democracy, we would cut ties with S.A. and even China, and go into poor countries where genocide is occurring even if there is no direct benefit to us.

[Durango]

Democracy is not a foreign concept in Iran.

They are a democracy whether you like it or not. Flawed certainly but a democracy non the less.

Which is what Fridays elections are about.

[SF13]

That language would not mean the same thing in Iran. It's so American ! lol

[sheilaofmiami]

I can only hope that the brains of the country leave and go to other places where they will be appreciated and paid enough to live a decent life.

[Mollabaji]

sheila,
If you read the report closely, you will find that despite its misleading headline, the fact is that women in Iran are well educated and professional as this woman is an engineers and is working just like her boyfriend is. Also, that over 60% of university students are women (what is the percentage in US universities? 25%?).
Real Estate prices have ALWAYS been very high due to corrupt speculators and many many people especially the young cannot afford to buy them. The question is, why don't they rent like majority of people in Europe do? Also, remember that many women do not want to get married at an early age due to their pursuit of higher education and professions (just like in U.S.) which certainly worries the traditionalists. Iranian women have had these achievements under the post-revolution leadership which you as other misinformed people ignore.

[PoliticalAmazon]

Finding living quarters foran ffordable price is hardly unique to Iran.

The majority of young couples from even a middle-class background would be hard-pressed to find affordable living quarters on Manhattan, as would young couples in many parts of England.

[operaglass]

Actually, the number of female university students in the US is around 58%. How did you come up with 25%? Have you been on a US college campus lately? Female enrollment surpassed male enrollment a long time ago.