Liquid love in Iran: a mixed method approach

Abstract

This study explores the dimensions of “liquid love” among Iranian Internet users. Over the last decade, the phenomenal growth of the Internet has caused fundamental changes in the Iranian lifestyle. One aspect of the Iranian lifestyle is the strict cultural codes on how males and females can interact. Now, on the Internet, most of this cultural barriers have been removed. It is very important to study how heterosexual relationships are rampant in the Iranian cyberspace, and what are the causes and consequences. Therefore, this study conducts a quantitative study on more than 500 Iranian young Internet users and then analyses 3000 Iranian blog posts which Iranians have written on heterosexual relationships online which Zygmunt Bauman calls it “liquid love.” Finally, a comparison of both phases revealed that this kind of relationships are rampant in Iran, and this phenomenon has generally left unpleasant feelings and consequences on the Iranian young Internet users, as discussed in their answers to our questionnaire and their posts on their weblogs.