Globalization and Women's Identity in the Cities of Shiraz and Estahban

The phenomenon of globalization has variably influenced all societies within the last two decades. Ir􀆗n is no exception to such a rule. The gradual penetration of globalization process has nearly touched on all aspects of the social life. This paper attempts to investigate the relationship between globalization and women’s social identity in the city of Shir􀆗z, the centre of F􀆗rs province, and the city of Estahb􀆗n, a largely traditional/religious city located also in the F􀆗rs province. Theoretically, the paper rests upon Water’s ideas, which are actually considered to be a synthesis of Giddens and Robertson ways of thinking on the subject. The findings show that women in Shiraz are generally more influenced by globalization process and thus their identities have been altered as a result.Such a finding further points to the fact that Shir􀆗zi women can be considered to be more profoundly oriented toward the ideas of modernity, therefore enjoying a somewhat more modern, secular and non-traditional identity as compared to women residing in Estahb􀆗n.