What was life like growing up in Iran in the mid-1980's.?

Well, as you may know there was a war between Iran and Iraq which took a huge toll on the economy and many people's lives.

The air raids, missile attacks, power outages (black-outs), huge line-ups at grocery stores and bakeries, war news and war themes being constantly broadcast on TV and radio are among unforgettable experiences.

Some text books and TV/radio programs were and still are used as a means of brainwashing and publicity for the Islamic regime. Mass prayers were encouraged. Religious minorities such as Jews, Zoroastrians, and Christians were and still are allowed to attend their own schools and/or programs. I had Jewish, Christian, and Zoroastrian classmates who were exempted from attending/learning our Islamic studies classes.

In order to get admitted to a university, you would have to pass not only the entrance exam but also your commitment and loyalty to the Islamic regime would have to be confirmed, i.e., you would have to pass the "Selection" process as well to make sure you are a loyal citizen. And if you were lucky enough to get admitted, you would have to "behave" at the college; meaning you were not allowed to socialize with the opposite sex or show any sign of hatred towards the regime. Otherwise, you would be warned first and expelled if he/she wouldn't change their behavior.

In my opinion, The family structure and relationships were much stronger back then maybe because it was just the beginning of the deterioration process of the economy and social values.

There's a lot to say about those days. Email me if you got more specific questions. I was a teenager back then and hence I cannot help with children's books contents. I used to read a lot of novels though. Translations of "Gone with the Wind", and classic Russian novels deserve to be mentioned.