Youth Strike Balance Between Conservatism, Modernity

In addition, fashion and beauty magazines have become very popular in various cities of Iraq.

Louay, a hairdresser, gave Al-Monitor some details about what happens in his salon in Babil province, south of Baghdad. He decided to call his salon “Berlin,” as he lived in Germany for eight years, and the salon’s Western style attracts many teenagers. Louay points out that weird haircuts and hairdos are in fashion these days, especially the “spiky” style, nakroosh (permanents) and using lots of hair gel.

Louay says that today, most of the young people are fond of Western haircuts like the mohawk, and some have even completely shaved their hair, in another imitation of Western fashion.

Interestingly, according to Louay, “These young people perform daily religious rituals, and become quite enthusiastic when it comes to participating in festivals and religious occasions. In contrast, they follow a purely Western style when it comes to fashion.”

This is a great paradox, according to Kassem Saleh, a social researcher and psychologist. He told Al-Monitor that this is due to “the youth’s fascination for two opposing things: The first includes a past, religious heritage fueled by Friday sermons and ‘sacred’ historical events. The second, meanwhile, is a Western culture nourished by the satellites, the Internet and modern media outlets. This turns this dual behavior into a negative situation that raises new generations searching for their cultural and intellectual identity.”

Wassim Bassem is an Iraqi journalist specializing in following social phenomena through investigations and reports published in various media outlets inclduing Al-Esbuyia, Bab Nour and Elaph.

(Picture: UN)