Women's Studies
Marzieh Shakeri HosseinAbad; zahra nasrollahi
Abstract
AbstractIntroduction: Suicide is an issue related to public health. Although it is done by an individual, not only the conditions of the family and society play a role in creating this behavior, but also after suicide, the family and society are affected by its consequences. The economic, social, and ...
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AbstractIntroduction: Suicide is an issue related to public health. Although it is done by an individual, not only the conditions of the family and society play a role in creating this behavior, but also after suicide, the family and society are affected by its consequences. The economic, social, and family damage caused by this phenomenon has raised it as a concern of policymakers and thinkers in this field. Therefore, the effect of various economic and social factors on suicide has been investigated in numerous studies, but few studies have considered the change in society's conditions toward gender equality in this field. Different views have been proposed regarding the effect of gender equality on suicide. According to the status integration theory, there is a positive relationship between gender equality and suicide due to the conflict of the roles of different statuses, but the supporters of the role expansion theory believe that gender equality leads to the reduction of suicide in society due to the benefits of different roles. Finally, according to convergence theory, there is convergence in gender roles between men and women, as well as stress levels and behaviors, and this in turn leads to convergence in health levels for women and men. Accordingly, women may benefit from the positive effects of role expansion, but it is possible that they may also experience the harmful effects of poor working conditions and face increased stress from longer working hours. While men can benefit from adopting less masculine beliefs and behaviors such as child care. Based on the convergence theory and considering that the probability of men dying due to suicide is higher in most parts of the world, it can be assumed that with the increase in gender equality and convergence in gender roles, the suicide rate of women increases and the suicide rate of men decreases, and the sum of these two effect should be investigated with experimental tests.Method: Due to the different cultural, economic, and social characteristics of each province, it is expected that there is a difference in the relationship between gender equality and suicide. Based on this, this evaluation was carried out separately for Iran's provinces from 2016 to 2022, and the required data was extracted from the sources published by the Statistical Centre of Iran in the form of a library. After calculating the variables of the share of female students in the population of women aged 20–34 years, the ratio of the share of female students to men in the population of the age group 20–34 years, the ratio of the economic participation rate of women to men, the unemployment rate and the divorce rate, panel data regression model is used to evaluate factors affecting suicide.Results: The results of this research indicate that the share of female students in the provinces and gender equality in the participation rate in the labor market had a negative and significant effect on suicide, while the increase in the variables of the ratio of female to male students, unemployment rate and divorce rate have increased the suicide rate in the provinces of Iran during the study period.The findings of this research show that the improvement of the position of women compared to men in accessing higher education facilities can create needs and expectations for women that, if society is not able to respond to them, will cause frustration, despair, and other negative consequences, even to the extent of suicide. On the other hand, this may even play a role in creating psychological pressure on men. This finding supports the status integration theory and is consistent with the results of Mayer's (2000) study, which showed that the rate of suicide increases with increasing gender equality. Despite this, the results of the present research show that the increase in gender equality in economic participation due to the increase in the economic security of the family due to access to more financial resources leads to a decrease in suicide. This finding is consistent with the results of the study by Chen et al. (2024), follows the view of Sieber (1974) and Marks (1977), and supports the role accumulation theory. According to the role expansion theory or role accumulation theory, any additional role given to a person has advantages for him. For example, the entry of women into the labor market leads to an increase in income and a decrease in the level of financial stress in the family. Also, it is expected that with the employment of women and the strengthening of their bonds with colleagues, other members of society, and the expansion of relationships and social support, suicide will decrease. In addition, the increase in unemployment and, as a result, the weakening of the social integration of people, the increase in stress and despair, and the increase in economic problems cause an increase in suicide in society. Also, the findings indicate that the increase in the rate of divorce increases the rate of suicide in the provinces due to mental, physical, economic, social, and family pressures. In other words, provinces with higher divorce rates will experience more suicides.Conclusion: The results of this research indicate the possibility of adjusting the social damage to suicide according to the position of women in society, and it indicates the importance of policymakers' attention to the role of gender equality in various fields, including education and the labor market. In addition, the results of this research show that by increasing job opportunities and reducing unemployment, the rate of suicide can be reduced in the provinces. Also, based on the findings, with society's efforts to create stable family bonds and marriages, the result of which is the cohesion and strengthening of family bonds and the prevention of divorce and family breakups, it can be an effective tool to deal with social harms such as suicide. Based on this, society should spread rational marriages with the aim of stable marriages. Because irrational and unstable marriages lead to social harm, including suicide. In general, any policy can be considered only from a quantitative aspect or enough attention can be paid to the qualitative aspect of that policy. For example, concern about population growth can lead to policies to facilitate marriage. While not paying attention to the quality aspects of marriage can cause more damage to society, unstable marriages that lead to the breakdown of the family and society, in addition to causing depression and the spread of violence such as suicide, foster a hopeless and unhealthy generation. So, in addition to the quantity of marriage, its quality should also be considered. Because unsuccessful marriages will impose costs on society, such as increasing suicides.Keywords: Education, Gender Equality, Labor Market, Iran's Provinces, SuicideJEL Classification: J12, I24, R23
Political sciences
Mahmoudreza Rahbarqazi; Reza Mahmoudoghli
Abstract
The significance of gender equality among citizens lies in its potential to foster social justice, reduce inequalities, and promote democracy. This, in turn, establishes a socio-political environment that is favorable for the country’s development. This phenomenon is believed to be influenced by ...
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The significance of gender equality among citizens lies in its potential to foster social justice, reduce inequalities, and promote democracy. This, in turn, establishes a socio-political environment that is favorable for the country’s development. This phenomenon is believed to be influenced by a variety of factors, according to researchers. Online media appears to be a significant factor in the context of gender equality. The purpose of this research is to investigate the direct and indirect impacts of online media on gender equality by examining the cultural values of “people’s voice” and “choice.” The data used in this study is derived from the seventh wave of the World Values Survey, which included a sample of 1,499 participants from Iran. The results, which were acquired through structural equation modeling and partial least squares (PLS) analysis using Smart PLS software, suggest that online media has a direct, positive, and substantial influence on the inclination of citizens toward gender equality. Furthermore, the findings indicate that the cultural values of “people’s voice” and “choice” can indirectly increase citizens' propensity for gender equality through the use of online media. Thus, the results affirm that the empirical data supports and validates the theoretical model of this study. This study underscores the critical role of online media in the promotion of gender equality, illustrating its influence both directly and through cultural values that empower citizens.
Women's Studies
Maryam Ahmadinejad; Elahe Marandi
Abstract
Despite the accepted fact that the ideal family, as the foundation and main cell of society, has a direct impact on the progress of society, today, we are confronted with significant threats to the foundation of the family as a result of the disparity between the performance of certain societies and ...
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Despite the accepted fact that the ideal family, as the foundation and main cell of society, has a direct impact on the progress of society, today, we are confronted with significant threats to the foundation of the family as a result of the disparity between the performance of certain societies and moral-religious traditions. A hazard that has been significantly de-stigmatized in recent years is the unconventional and unnatural sexual tendencies of individuals toward their own sex. We have observed that numerous international authorities in their jurisprudence do not exhibit discrimination or inequality toward civil institutions that are established based on unconventional sexual tendencies, despite the strong and emphatic prohibition of religions, particularly Islam, against unconventional sexual tendencies. They equate these institutions with the sacred institution of the family. This unnatural perspective has had such a profound impact on them that, in addition to eliminating historical punishments for this immoral activity, they have criminalized opposition to homosexuality as hatred. This has advanced to the extent that certain countries have even acknowledged “marriage,” a term that is historically and naturally associated with relationships between men and women, for relationships that are based on aberrant sexual tendencies. This is despite the fact that homosexuality, or unconventional and unnatural sexual tendencies, has been regarded as ugly, disgusting, and unnatural throughout history. In Islamic teachings, it is also referred to as prostitution and is considered one of the major sins that has been assigned the most severe punitive measures.
Sociology
Ahmad Dorahaki; Masoumeh Akhavan Armaki
Abstract
Motherhood is an important aspect of women's life, which manifests itself with the two important functions of giving birth and nurture children. With the advent of modernity, becoming a mother and motherhood as the pre-defined main role of women has been questioned and redefined. Investigating the relationship ...
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Motherhood is an important aspect of women's life, which manifests itself with the two important functions of giving birth and nurture children. With the advent of modernity, becoming a mother and motherhood as the pre-defined main role of women has been questioned and redefined. Investigating the relationship between changes in the attitude towards maternal identity and women's fertility can be helpful in understanding the change of fertility in Iran. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the relationship between the attitude towards maternal identity and the number of intended fertility of married women aged 18-44 in the urban areas of Kashan city and with a quantitative approach and a descriptive-correlational nature. In this regard, a sample of 385 women with at least one child (with motherhood experience) referring to the health service centers of urban areas of Kashan were selected and investigated by multi-stage cluster sampling method. The validity of the research items was obtained through formal and confirmatory factor analysis. The reliability of the conceptual variables of the research was also confirmed with Cronbach's alpha. The results of the research show that the average of intended fertility is 2.2 in the women of the study. The score of the attitude towards maternal identity of the study women is higher than the expected average. This issue indicates the existence of a desire and a pleasant feeling towards the motherhood identity, in other words, it shows the priority and importance of the role of a motherhood compared to other roles of the women in the study. The results of multivariate analysis show that by controlling all the variables, the variable of attitude towards maternal identity positively and attitude towards gender equality and education have a negative effect on women's intention fertility. The lower the score of the attitude towards maternal identity (importance and priority of the mother's role) and the higher the score of the attitude towards gender equality, the less the number of intended fertility. Also, women with university education have less intend fertility. On the other hand, the findings indicate a statistically significant and effect relationship of gender equality variables and education on the attitude towards maternal identity of the studied women. According to the results of the research path analysis model, it can be said that the attitude towards maternal identity is related to the number of children intended by women in two direct ways and also as a mediator of the effect of gender equality variables and education. Therefore, according to the changes that are taking place in the mentioned components, it is suggested that the policy makers consider the expansion of facilities and support programs that lead to the reduction of the conflict between the components of empowerment and independence of women with maternal identity in the new demographic policies. Facilitation and support programs in the field of maternal identity are a way of valuing the authentic cultural foundation of Iranian society in this relation.
Ahmad Dorahaki; Reza Nobakht
Abstract
When the concept of gender is used in explaining fertility, it is often confined to changes in education and employment status of women. While an important part of gender equality returns to the family domain. Using multi-stage cluster sampling, 600 eligible women aged 18-44 years were studied in urban ...
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When the concept of gender is used in explaining fertility, it is often confined to changes in education and employment status of women. While an important part of gender equality returns to the family domain. Using multi-stage cluster sampling, 600 eligible women aged 18-44 years were studied in urban areas of Bushehr province. Cluster analysis results showed two different types of gender equality within the family among responsive women. Men participation in childcare, men participation in home works, men participation outside the home (related to home works) and women's participation in family decisions in first type was less than average, while each of the variables mentioned in second type are above average. Results of multivariate analysis showed that -by controlling other research variables- the probability of going to higher parity progression in families with a higher gender equality structure, it is about 2.56 times higher than in families with a lower gender equality structure. According to the results of this study, it can be said that culture and discourse in order to increase gender equality within the family can play an important and decisive role in increasing women's intention fertility.
Women's Studies
Fatemeh Ghasempour; Zohreh Nosrat Kharazmi
Abstract
The departments of Women’s Studies were established in 1970s in the United States. The quantities of the departments and the subjects they cover have increasingly grown during these years by a significant co-relation with the reality of change in women’s status. Women’s Studies are ...
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The departments of Women’s Studies were established in 1970s in the United States. The quantities of the departments and the subjects they cover have increasingly grown during these years by a significant co-relation with the reality of change in women’s status. Women’s Studies are established as the academic wing of the women’s civil movements and it can be understood in terms of changing meanings of the women’s rights and empowerment. Despite its discursive dynamism, Women’s Studies subject is challenged by the paradigmatic shift of gender that has made it insufficient in the content and even in its name. The present study, then, employs the process tracing method based on the records of the Women’s Studies historians to indicate the reflection of women and gender paradigm shifts and their subsequent opportunities and challenges. The process tracing is conducted in three historical phases including binary sex paradigm: women against men (1970-early 1980s), paradigm change from woman to women- women to gender issues (1980s- Mid 1990s), and the dominance of the paradigm of sexual orientation and gender identity (Mid 1990s- Present). To trace this process within the United States is expected to reveal the gender discourse globally.
Tavakkol Aghayari Hir; Fatemeh Golabi; Mehdi Shafeiy Zazali
Abstract
Demographic changes can affect all facets of development, including gender equality, as one of the main components of development. This study aimed at investigating the relationship between changes in population composition and gender equality in Iran during 1956-2011. The relationship is studied with ...
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Demographic changes can affect all facets of development, including gender equality, as one of the main components of development. This study aimed at investigating the relationship between changes in population composition and gender equality in Iran during 1956-2011. The relationship is studied with a descriptive-analytical approach using secondary data and time-series models at national level. The data was obtained from Statistical Center of Iran’s population time series and various censuses’ data. Findings suggest that Composite Gender Equality Index improved considerably during the study period, and urbanization, age structure of the population, as well as women’s average age at marriage, significantly affected the composite index of gender equality. Besides, AR (1) and MA (2) components of the fitted Arima model have expectedly shown significant effect on the gender equality’s variations. Three independent variables, aggregately accounted for 33 percent of gender equality’s variance during the study period.
economics
Zahra Afshari
Abstract
Using cross-provinces and panel regressions, this paper investigates the interrelationship between gender equality and fertility in Iran for the period 2007-2012. The article attempts to explain the low fertility rate in Iran by distinguishing between two types of gender equity, i.e. gender equity in ...
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Using cross-provinces and panel regressions, this paper investigates the interrelationship between gender equality and fertility in Iran for the period 2007-2012. The article attempts to explain the low fertility rate in Iran by distinguishing between two types of gender equity, i.e. gender equity in individual-oriented institutions and gender equity in family-oriented institutions. For this purpose, two models; i.e. fertility and gender equality, are estimated. The first model shows that as gender equality (in general, and gender equality in labor market) increases, fertility follows a U shape pattern. The second model confirms a U shape relationship between fertility increase and gender equality (in general and in education). The results show that the transition from very high fertility to replacement-level fertility in Iran has been associated with a rapid shift toward high levels of gender equity in individual institutions such as education but with low levels of equality in market employment, in combination with high level of gender equity within the family and low level of family-oriented institutions.
Mohammad Atashak
Abstract
The aim of this study is the evaluation of gender equality in Iran's educational system, as it is regarded as being one of the most important national and international goals. An evaluative research method, along with a secondary analysis method of Iran's 2011 census analysis, have been employed for ...
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The aim of this study is the evaluation of gender equality in Iran's educational system, as it is regarded as being one of the most important national and international goals. An evaluative research method, along with a secondary analysis method of Iran's 2011 census analysis, have been employed for this purpose.Results show that, in total, the age group of up to 34 years old, those in the age group of up to 39 years old located in urban areas, and those in the age group of up to 24 years old, who were inhabitants of rural areas, gender equality can be found within Iran's educational system. The most obvious cases of gender inequality in Iran's educational system, can be found in the age group of those above 35 years of age. In addition to these findings, analysis of the different educational levels, shows that we have gender equality at the primary school level. In lower secondary and upper secondary levels and in higher education, the preference is directed towards male students, with female students finding gender equality only at pre-university level.
Karam Habibpour Gatabi; Gholamreza Ghaffary
Volume 9, Issue 1 , April 2011, , Pages 7-34
Abstract
The transition of Iranian society from a traditional order to a modern one and experiencing the required life is considered as one of the causes in rising marriage age among girls. Accordingly this research has probed theoretically and methodologically into the underlying roots.
For the purpose of ...
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The transition of Iranian society from a traditional order to a modern one and experiencing the required life is considered as one of the causes in rising marriage age among girls. Accordingly this research has probed theoretically and methodologically into the underlying roots.
For the purpose of this research, a survey method has been used to gather data. The statistical sample includes two groups of married and single girls aged from 25 to 44 years old. The sample is drawn out from five city centers including Tehran, Sari, Khorram Abad, Mashhad and Sanandaj. Results show that girls that marry late in their life 1) have more education, 2) have non- material attitude to marriage, and 3) have more beliefs that by marriage, lost opportunity cost is more than marriage opportunity.
Results imply that considering the experience of modernity in macro, middle and micro levels, dire consequences could be expected provided such experiences are not accompanied by well sketched plans and policies. This also holds true when the economical, social or cultural conditions of society, do not meets the requirements for adopting such transforms.
Volume 4, Issue 14 , September 2006
Abstract
Globally, today particularly in the developing countries, much attention is paid to how to achieve the goals of all-out development, that is sustainable and human development. This paper proposes the question that what role does women’s increased participation play in attaining sustainable development ...
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Globally, today particularly in the developing countries, much attention is paid to how to achieve the goals of all-out development, that is sustainable and human development. This paper proposes the question that what role does women’s increased participation play in attaining sustainable development in the Muslim countries. What is the prospect for these countries? Drawing on the experiences of the developing countries, writers hold that a comparison of the conditions of the Middle Eastern nations with those of the Muslim countries of Southeast Asia demonstrates that sustainable development in the Muslim countries cannot be realized without women’s extensive participation. Thus, women’s increased participation in the development process of these countries is essential. More importantly, what guarantees the materialization (manifestation) of such an objective is the existence of adequate inclination to facilitate the conditions for women’s engagement in the development process.
Volume 3, Issue 2 , September 2005
Abstract
Women constitute half of the population and their position is important in development process of the countries. Thus, improving women's status is a necessary condition for a sustainable development in every country. To reach this goal many efforts have been made to empower women throughout the world.
In ...
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Women constitute half of the population and their position is important in development process of the countries. Thus, improving women's status is a necessary condition for a sustainable development in every country. To reach this goal many efforts have been made to empower women throughout the world.
In Iran, during the last three decades, the status of women has considerably improved due to socio-economic development. Some improvements have taken place in favour of women at national and international levels which resulted in narrowing down the gap between men and women. Using the data from the country censuses (mainly from 1966 onwards) and other sources (mainly a survey on socio- economic characteristics of households in 2001), this paper aims to examine the improvements in women's lives compared to those for men. Findings show that improvements in women's status in terms of education, decision making in the family and health have been outstanding. But their situation in terms of social, cultural and economic
participation has not been improved remarkably. A steady improvement of women's status in public and private sphere is noticeable.
Some factors such as government policies towards development and population, changing Islamic laws, and willingness of women to enhance their situation are the main ones strengthening women's situation in the society.
