Modernizing Women: Gender and Social Change in the Middle East

by Valentine M. Moghadam

Exploring the impact of social change in the Middle East on women's status and roles, as well as women's varied responses, this book focuses on the gender dynamics of some of the major social processes in the region: economic development and women's employment, reforms and revolutions, the changing family, and Islamist movements. In doing so, it reveals that middle class women are at the centre of change and discourses about the change in the region.

Genres: Feminism, Middle East, Gender

311 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 1993

About the author

Valentine Moghadam (born 1952) is a feminist scholar, sociologist, activist, and author, whose work focuses on women in development, globalization, feminist networks, and female employment in the Middle East.

She has taught and performed research at various institutions of higher education, most recently as Professor of Sociology and Director of International Affairs at Northeastern University. Previously she held the position of Director of the Women’s Studies Program at Purdue University, where she was also a Professor of Sociology. Prior to that appointment, Moghadam worked for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as the chief of gender equality and development.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Brian Griffith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good research documenting the trends toward gender equality in people's attitudes and everyday practices.

[Opinionated Hijabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the most academic & weighty books regarding women in the Middle East in various nations and their struggle for social change. However, the presentation is very dry (again it's academic). In fact, it is so dry I thought of giving it 3 stars, however the material and span of information is so useful I still love this book. In fact, during all my gender study & research I regularly return to this book and I've tried to read every article my Valentine Moghadam because of this book.
While Moghadam comes across as a bit hostile toward Islam (secular is the nice term), she does bring together many other authors who use research in an anthropological and sociological manner to investigate the patriarchal systems affecting women in the Middle East. In fact, because of the fabulous job they do at fair sociological research, even when I disagree with Moghadam and her conclusions, her methods and her results are fascinating (as are the others n this edited complied book).

[Opinionated Hijabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Older research, but Moghadam always compiles great research from different countries before she gives her views on gender and the Middle East. She's one of my favorite authors on the subject, like Margo Badran, and Leila Ahmed, except due to her more secular leanings, I often disagree with Moghadam on points. In fact, I have read her works and often disagreed strongly in the middle, but by the end her diligence to research and her sociological view of cultures always wins me over (if not in agreement at least to always appreciating her results & views).

[maryam soltan zadeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect read if you want to have a regional understanding of the history of women's movements and women's status in the Middles East and North Africa. Moghaddam discusses the waves of radical Islamic movements in the region in the context of economic situations and cultural traditions of different countries.