Sexuality in Iran

In Iranian society, sexuality is regulated by cultural restrictions, prohibitions, taboos, and indirect regulations due to the country's traditional and highly religious culture. Socialization processes are gendered as a consequence of there being different rules of sexual behavior for men and women. Sexual activity such as masturbation, erotic behavior, and cross-gender associations such as premarital dating relationships are legally and culturally banned. Virginity plays an important role in women's lives because it is a required condition for a girl's marriage. Masturbation is the major form of sexual activity, especially among single youth as an alternative to sexual intercourse. Lack of sexual education until late teenage years has caused a general ignorance about human sexuality and has led to mystification regarding sexual activity