Family is the foundation of Iran's social structure and is much more private than in many other societies and cultures. Iranians see themselves as having two distinct identities: "zaher" (public) and "batin" (private). Female relatives must be protected from outside influences, so questions about an Iranians wife and female relatives are deemed inappropriate.
Although the nuclear family is generally small, with one or two children, the extended family is quite close, with loyalty to family coming before any other social relationships.
It is this inner circle that forms the basis of an individuals social and business networks as the duties of members of the inner circle extend to offering advice, to helping other members find jobs, and to cutting through bureaucracy.