Who Are We? Iranian-American Community Survey 2005 Farzan Parsinejad, Ph.D. Iranian Studies Group at MIT http://web.mit.edu/isg/ Mehregan 3rd Annual Seminar: Reflections of Iranian Identity Through Time

What is ISG? Iranian Studies Group (ISG) at MIT A non-partisan, non-profit, academic organization with the goal of promoting Iranian civil society through conducting research on issues related to the Iranian society in Iran and abroad ISG Activities ISG Research Projects Iran Analysis Quarterly Journal ISG Lecture Series ISG aims to bridge the gap between research, public knowledge, and policy-making to create a network of academics, community leaders and interested individuals in Iran, the U.S., and other parts of the world Iranian Studies Group at MIT

Organization Board of Directors Overseeing activities and general guidelines 5 academics and 2 business/community leaders Executive Board In charge of managing research strategy and tactics Currently 1 M.S., 2 Doctoral Students, 3 Ph.D.’s Research Associates Conducting research projects under supervision of executives Currently 10 Ph.D. Candidates, Academics and Professionals Iranian Studies Group at MIT

Motivations of Survey Census data not sufficient in understanding the characteristics, needs and concerns of individuals in the Iranian American community. Assess the perception of individuals of Iranian ancestry of the Iranian American community and potential common values, needs and concerns. The results of the survey can provide community leaders with information on how better serve the community Iranian Studies Group at MIT

Survey Basics Online between January-March 2005 3880 Valid Responses 62.4% male respondents, 37.6% female respondents Around 60% Naturalized U.S. Citizens (first generation IA), 12% U.S.-born, 12% permanent residents, 8% students , and the rest asylees, skilled workers, etc. Average age of respondents between 35-49 Average education of respondents, B.S. and then M.S. degree Iranian Studies Group at MIT

Immigration Period Iranian Studies Group at MIT

Ethnicity Iranian Studies Group at MIT

Religion Diversity Iranian Studies Group at MIT

Religion Iranian Studies Group at MIT

Family Structure If not single, more than 80% are married which is higher compared to the Nation. 3% live with partner which is less than Nation 15% are divorced which is less than the Nation If divorced, the custody of children in 75% of the cases are by women Iranian Studies Group at MIT

Family Structure: Spouse's Background Iranian Studies Group at MIT

Language Spoken at Home Iranian Studies Group at MIT

How Often Have Your Children Visited Iran? Iranian Studies Group at MIT

Important Aspects of Iranian Culture in Children Education Iranian Studies Group at MIT

Most Appealing Aspects of the Culture Cuisine Family values Language, Traditions and Humor Festivities, Traditional music, Popular music and Movies Religion and Mysticism Iranian Studies Group at MIT

Assimilation: Difficulty in Adjusting to Live in US Iranian Studies Group at MIT

Frequency of Interaction with Iranians Iranian Studies Group at MIT

Frequency of Socializing with Non-Iranians Iranian Studies Group at MIT

Discrimination!! Iranian Studies Group at MIT

Important Factors in Choosing Where to Live Iranian Studies Group at MIT

Sources of News About Iran Iranian Studies Group at MIT

Investment in Iran Iranian Studies Group at MIT

Impediments to Our Unity Iranian Studies Group at MIT

Finally, Who Are We? Iranian Studies Group at MIT

Summary The ISG Iranian-American Survey 2005 provides abundant information on the different aspects of the Iranian-American community and will be repeated every year with various foci. The information presented here is only a selected overview of the survey results. Main results are to come: More on cross correlations Analysis Iranian Studies Group at MIT

Mrs. Frances Nedjat Haiem Acknowledgement Mehregan Foundation Mrs. Frances Nedjat Haiem Mr. Bruce Bahmani Ms. Noosheen Hashemi Dr. Akbar Mahdi Mr. Darr Hashempour Dr. Mohammad Ala Dr. Mohammad Navab Ms. Dokhi Fassihian Mr. Hossein Hosseini Mr. Behrouz Vakili Mr. Shahriar Afshar Dr. David Rahni Mr. Alireza Taghi Iranian Studies Group at MIT

Demographic Iranian Studies Group at MIT

Demographic Iranian Studies Group at MIT

Demographic Iranian Studies Group at MIT

Iranian Studies Group at MIT