An analytical study of "gender identity" in Persian proverbs: with emphasis on Existentialist Feminism Approach

"Gender" as one of the most important dualities in social and cultural structures, has been the subject and focus of sociologists and culturologists. And, feminism as one of the branches of sociology has dealt more than any other approach with the duality of "woman" and "man" and its impact on the cultural construction of societies. Existentialist feminists argue that men's worldviews seek to impose "gender identity" on women through cultural tools that lead to imposition of stereotyped behavior and special norms on women. Persian proverbs, as effective and practical cultural tools in public domain, have been unable to reflect gender standards well. Emphasizing the existential feminism theory and with the method of qualitative description and analysis of existing and common Persian proverbs, it can be said popular culture has not only ignored the women's existence but increased or decreased their freedom, selection and choice, and applied ways and behaviors to control them. Women's responsibility and social activity has also been limited through cultural means i.e. public culture can also impose dependence and sense of belonging on women. The same way, it can regulate, monitor and control the emotional and economic dependence of women. This article attempts to evaluate and analyze the issue of "gender identity" in Persian proverbs from the point of view of existentialist feminists.