Over the past few decades, sociologists and development practitioners have argued that before any real development can take shape in a country, there must be a focus on women and family (Yount 2005/6). Iran and Afghanistan have been struggling with establishing a balance with achieving development ideals, but without relinquishing patriarchal control over women and family.

In both countries development programs have both directly and indirectly affected the status of women and impacted the family. There is a reluctant agreement that development and r…