Historical Sciences Studies

Examining the Process of Changing the Marriage Age in Reza Shah's Iran

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Zeynab Shabani Liavli 1
Jacob Khazaei 2

1 Master's degree in History, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of History, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22059/jhss.2026.402327.473849
Abstract
Abstract



Age is one of the key social indicators in marriage, reflecting the cultural, economic, and familial conditions of society. The present study aims to examine the historical trajectory of changes in the age of marriage. The author first describes the state of marriage during the Qajar period in order to clarify the historical background of the law, then analyzes the process of transformation in the Marriage Law, and finally investigates its impact on society and individual attitudes. The central research question is: What effect did the Marriage Law have on the age of marriage, and how were these changes reflected in society?



The hypothesis of this study is that, despite the enactment of the law, traditional patterns of early marriage persisted in many families. Data collection has been carried out through both library research and interviews. The findings indicate that factors such as cultural pressure regarding “leftover girls,” religious interpretations, and economic structures contributed to the persistence of these patterns. However, signs of change are also evident, including an increase in the age of marriage, the growing agency of women in choosing a spouse, and their greater participation in education and employment. These changes, nevertheless, have not been uniform or complete across different generations and regions.

Keywords

Age
Marriage
Women
Law
Reza Shah
Subjects
Historical Sciences Studies

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 21 April 2026

Home

Journal Metrics

Contact Us