When I first began conducting research for my cultural project the first thing I asked my language partner about were any specific practices/ceremonies done for children that specified gender - as my topic was originally gender roles. Susan informed me that there is a naming ceremony heavily celebrated after the sixth day of birth for a child. On that day there is a celebration with family and food and the newborn is named. It is called شب شش (Sheb Shesh) or the sixth night. There is also a Child's Day or د،ذ ک،رک (Rozeh Kodek). It is held for children around school age which when Susan was in school was around 7 years old and has now gone done to as young as 5 years old. Reason's for this celebration could be that birthdays are not heavily celebrated so celebrations including many children occur instead.
It is also around school age that children must learn to pray as it is practiced to pray several times a day. Along with prayer expectations of the child were expressed and children are taught to respect their elders similar to many countries and always make sure the elders eat first. Elders are also spoken formally to and always greeted with 'salam', from Susan's experience. School life for children was included in Susan's explanation as well. While the boys had their sports activities the girls most often participated in theater while it was offered to all of them. The boys uniform usually consists of slacks and buttoned shirt while the girls wear a long black dress and white head dress daily. Susan complained of the complete lack of personal expression in schools as jewelry or any other kind of accessories were allowed her entire school career nor when open toed shoes. The school regulations have stricter expectations of children than what Susan expressed to me in her everyday at home life.
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