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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Immigration Period
Iranian Studies Group at MIT

7. Ethnicity
Iranian Studies Group at MIT

8. Religion Diversity
Iranian Studies Group at MIT

9. Religion
Iranian Studies Group at MIT

10. 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

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

12. Language Spoken at Home
Iranian Studies Group at MIT

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

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

15. 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

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

17. Frequency of Interaction with Iranians
Iranian Studies Group at MIT

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

19. Discrimination!!
Iranian Studies Group at MIT

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

21. Sources of News About Iran
Iranian Studies Group at MIT

22. Investment in Iran
Iranian Studies Group at MIT

23. Impediments to Our Unity
Iranian Studies Group at MIT

24. Finally, Who Are We?
Iranian Studies Group at MIT

25. 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

26. 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

27. Demographic
Iranian Studies Group at MIT

28. Demographic
Iranian Studies Group at MIT

29. Demographic
Iranian Studies Group at MIT

30. Iranian Studies Group at MIT