Friendship plays a significant part in the lives of Iranians and Afghans, who do not generally value solitude or privacy, but enjoy forming and maintaining acquaintance and companionship. Women show warmth and affection to their female relatives and friends. Because Iranian and Afghan families often maintain tight ties and most females are generally restricted from movement outside kin circles, the closest friendships are often with mother, sisters, cousins, or aunts.

For females, friends offered support and reprieve from sometimes oppressive husbands or in-laws. …