Women's Studies
Hajiieh Bibi Razeghi Nasrabad
Abstract
This study aims at identifying the areas of work-family conflict as well as the ways to balance work and family plans. Its approach is qualitative, and its methodology is based on phenomenology. The sample involves 27 women with children under 12, who work in Tehran Municipality. They are selected through ...
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This study aims at identifying the areas of work-family conflict as well as the ways to balance work and family plans. Its approach is qualitative, and its methodology is based on phenomenology. The sample involves 27 women with children under 12, who work in Tehran Municipality. They are selected through purposive sampling with maximum variety in terms of age, number of children, position, and type of contract, then to be determined based on the theoretical saturation level. The data collection method is in-depth interview and the analysis method is thematic analysis, extracted in three methods of open, axial, and selective coding. Based on this study’s findings, the areas of conflict are divided into 8 sub-themes and 3 main themes: "high job requirements", "unequal gender approach in the private and public spheres", and "abandonment and marginalization of policies for family and childbearing ". Working mothers also make great efforts to adapt and use a variety of strategies. These strategies, extracted from a total of 95 basic concepts and 18 sub-themes, are classified into two main themes, namely "bounded rationality" and "formation of non-traditional organizational arrangements". In general, while policy initiatives can be effective in helping women adapt to dual roles, many women still address these issues on an individual or personal level. Working women feel that the policies adopted by the organization are insufficient and have no executive guarantee; therefore, they do not affect their lives significantly.
Valiollah Rostamalizadeh; Fariba Parvinian
Abstract
The main purpose of this study is the typology of women’s savings and its outcomes among women in Tehran. The methodological approach of this article is qualitative. Data is collected through interviews according to the objectives of the research. In this study, 39 female participants were used ...
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The main purpose of this study is the typology of women’s savings and its outcomes among women in Tehran. The methodological approach of this article is qualitative. Data is collected through interviews according to the objectives of the research. In this study, 39 female participants were used to collect data. The collected data were analyzed through content analysis method. The results of this study show that the types of women’s savings include reverse saving, underspending, gradual consumption/consumption management, gradual saving, consumption deferral, conversion of savings into capital, and targeted investments. They spend this savings on getting what they do not have/meeting essential and future needs, more access to amenities, recreational needs in order to improve living conditions, providing for their children’s future and family well-being, emotional purchases, family support, lending to relatives, large purchases resulting in a gradual increase in family wealth, and, ultimately, children’s education. Also, factors affecting women’s tendency to save include gaining decision-making power and the power to stand on their own, feeling the need to improve their position in the family and community, gaining social prestige, feeling the need for power and standing on their own, motivation for progress, feeling the need for (financial) independence, feeling the need for respect and approval and a sense of security. The outcomes of saving are the expansion of participation in the family and community, gaining a position in family decision-making, gaining social prestige, increased self-confidence, women’s financial independence, satisfaction with life/feeling of happiness, psychological security, family progress and well-being, expanding relationships and social interaction, problem solving and family crisis management, and, finally, rational planning and increasing the culture of saving.
Sociology
Javad Shojaei; Bahjat Yazdkhasti
Abstract
Statistics indicates that fertility is falling below the level of replacement. In parallel to this declining trend, we see an increase in the proportion of one-child families. This change in the family structure affects the quality of one-child life and, due to role limitation, the one-child socialization ...
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Statistics indicates that fertility is falling below the level of replacement. In parallel to this declining trend, we see an increase in the proportion of one-child families. This change in the family structure affects the quality of one-child life and, due to role limitation, the one-child socialization process has different conditions. Therefore, one-child as a social phenomenon must be studied precisely. The existing studies focus on quantitative explanations of the change in fertility behavior, and the meaning of these behaviors is less well-known. Also, few studies that have been performed on one-child, have "why" assumptions; it is important to identify the "Quiddity" of one-child. The current research, by adopting a phenomenological approach, describes the experience of one-child living in Tehran. The data were collected through a deep interview with twenty girls over the age of 18 years using with purposive sampling, analyzed by smith's six-step technique. Twelve themes were extracted from data analysis. The themes are: " reign in family, in regret of other positions, extreme expectations, loneliness: Just yourself and yourself, need for family support, in search of compensation, credit link, weakness in emotional relationships, destructive worries, parent's educative encounter, self-adjustment, and confrontation with stereotypes". The findings of this study could provide a clear picture of one-child lived experience. In a general conclusion, the lived experiences of subjects show that those who are the only child are usually different in terms of life skills and individual capabilities, and this difference often shows itself in extremity. It should also be noted that one-child, because of lack of conflict of interests, usually has more facilities and welfare leading to emergence of some specific themes listed above.
Sociology
Zeynab Kaveh Firouz; Fariba Karami
Abstract
In the last few decades, Iran has experienced sharp fertility decline. Studies indicate that women have a major role in childbearing; therefore, their empowerment and autonomy will lead to changes in their fertility behavior. This paper examines the relationship between family power structure and fertility ...
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In the last few decades, Iran has experienced sharp fertility decline. Studies indicate that women have a major role in childbearing; therefore, their empowerment and autonomy will lead to changes in their fertility behavior. This paper examines the relationship between family power structure and fertility behavior in the Tehran city. The data is collected from around 400 women in Tehran who are married and have at least one child. The results of the bivariate analysis showed that there is an insignificant relationship between fertility and access to valuable resources (education, employment, and economic capital), women autonomy, division of household labor, attitudes to gender inequality and family power structure. The results of the logistic regression analysis indicated that among all different variables, access to valuable resources and division of household labor are the strong determinants of dependent variable; as fertility rate reduces with the rise in access to valuable resources and decline in partnership in division of household labor. Women’s autonomy is another important variable affecting fertility rate; as fertility rate reduces with the rise in women’s autonomy. Given the results of this study, population policies in Iran in order to facilitate childbearing for couples should provide opportunities by which women can continue their economic activity, have their social participation, maintain and strengthen their power in family as well as promote childbearing.
