Study of the Historical Course the New Marriage Law in Contemporary Iran

The adoption of the new marriage law in Iran in 1310 (AH) was a turning point in the evolution and modernization of marriage in Iran. This study seeks to examine the historical course of the adoption of this law and its impact on the lives of the Iranian girls, women and families. It is hypothesized that what has happened in the year 1310 (AH) by force and with the intervention of the government, was based on the change of public mentality from the Qajar period onwards. In fact, the two important and fundamental concepts of childhood and marriage were changed and the style of lives of Iranian children and women were considered to be effective on the fate of the homeland. Although this law did not change the legal basis of marriage, it did bring about fundamental changes in the daily life of the Iranian family. Increasing the period of childhood for girls which provided more opportunities for their education, maintaining the health of Iranian children and mothers, and the subsequent increase in population along with the possibility of active participation of the women in the society and the economy, were among the tangible consequences of this law. However, the strict application of the new law made marriage a scene of unequal conflict between the judiciary representing the Iranian government and the Iranian families.