They have a cultural and religious fear of women, which is why they oppress them so much. Since women are the civilizing force in the human race, this also explains why these nutjobs reject civilization as well.
Yes, they are a very misogynistic society. And as most peple know, misogynists have one..errr....physical deficiency in common. ;-)
The secularists are much different. The Iraqis I work with often make reference to clearing things with their wives (or else), keeping their wives happy so that things at home stay pleasant, etc. much like American couples.
I was quite surprised when I first heard comments like this, but there are many who don't buy into all that Islamofacist crap at all and practice more western social values.
Iran and Saudi are huge exceptions, since all of these weird edicts are actually part of their national law.