Document Type : Research Paper
Author
Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tehran
Abstract
The Iran-Iraq war left deep scars on countless families, particularly on the daughters who lost their fathers. Over 87,000 girls grew up without a father’s presence, navigating a world forever altered by war. Beyond the political and infrastructural consequences, the war shaped their personal and social lives in profound ways. These daughters carried silent struggles, their voices often unheard. Understanding their lived experiences is not just about acknowledging the past—it’s about learning from their resilience, recognizing their challenges, and ensuring that society does not overlook the unique burdens they have carried.
This study sought to give voice to these daughters by exploring their lived experiences through a qualitative approach. In-depth interviews with 15 women provided a deep, personal insight into their journeys. Through their narratives, common themes emerged—stories of loss, adaptation, and perseverance. Their words painted a picture of childhoods marked by both resilience and hardship, shaped by the absence of a father and the structures that sought to fill that void.
Findings reveal that, despite government support and the efforts of the Martyrs Foundation, these daughters faced struggles beyond institutional interventions. Their challenges were rooted in societal norms, traditions, and legal constraints. Their experiences spanned grief in early childhood, the presence of stepfathers, unique educational and social paths, contradictions in societal expectations, marriage struggles, custodial disputes, and ongoing social stigmas. Their realities often clashed with how society perceived them, leading to misunderstandings and emotional burdens that still shape their daily lives today.
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