Popular music was no longer played at home, and even a teenaged male could feel free to demonstrate his authority over an elder woman in his family. Her sisters warned her against any expression of her strong opposition to this regime, as they knew women who had been whipped and jailed for violating regulations pertaining to women's dress and behavior. She was struck by reports that rape and other violence against women is rampant in Iran, as is suicide by young women. Her communication from abroad with her sisters and mother has been difficult, as her brother in law screens all incoming mail, tapes telephone calls and controls all aspects of their lives. Her sisters and mother are powerless as he has the support of the governing Islamic authorities.
Women are to be controlled in order to avoid their dishonoring the family.
She has remained unmarried and has rejected the traditionalist lifestyle proscribed for women by the Islamic government. As a result, if returned to Iran she would be subject to employment discrimination and unable to follow her career. She would be forced to accept laws that are inconsistent with her views on individual rights. She refuses to practice Islam. She was born into a non-religious Moslem family and she has never practiced the religion, does not know the Koran and is unfamiliar with the prayers.