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
Hossein Daneshmehr; Kamal Khaleghpanah; Soheyla Zandi Sarabsoure
Abstract
The present study seeks to address rural women's narratives of gender inequality in field education. This study, while interpreting their subordinate positions, explores women's narratives of the status of education-gender relations and the factors that make up the field of education and gender inequality ...
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The present study seeks to address rural women's narratives of gender inequality in field education. This study, while interpreting their subordinate positions, explores women's narratives of the status of education-gender relations and the factors that make up the field of education and gender inequality in education. To this end, we use Pierre Bourdieu's theoretical apparatus as a guide to the formulation of concepts. This research has used the tradition of qualitative method and the thematic narrative analysis method to discover and extract categories in which participatory observation tools and in-depth interviews were used to collect the required data. The field of study is rural areas of Dehgolan with qualitative and purposeful sampling logic in addition to space sampling (large, medium and small villages). It conducted in-depth interviews with 32 women aged 15-35 years in 6 rural settlements. The narrative data were coded and formatted into 78 initial themes, 36 sub-themes, 8 main themes, and one final theme. The main themes of the narratives are: gender socialization, deepening mechanisms of social inequality, material poverty, cultural poverty, inaccessibility of educational centers, early marriage of girls, restriction of women from entering the public sphere and reproduction. The final issue is education as a field of production of gender inequality in rural areas, which has shaped the narrative of the multiple features of women.
economics
Zahra Mila Elmi; Shahyar Zaroki; Sayyedeh Mona Mahdavi Chabok
Abstract
Nowadays, the female participation rate is known as one of the reasons of societies' development. Hence, this study explores some of the effective factors such as education, marital status, age, and female-headed households on female participation probability in labor market. To achieve this goal, by ...
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Nowadays, the female participation rate is known as one of the reasons of societies' development. Hence, this study explores some of the effective factors such as education, marital status, age, and female-headed households on female participation probability in labor market. To achieve this goal, by using micro data of household survey in 2011, which is carried out by the Statistical Center of Iran, Panel Data with Limited Dependent Variable Models is estimated with maximum likelihood approach. Based on the obtained results, in the urban area of Iran, low levels of education (primary and secondary), could not cause the entry of women into the labor market, higher levels of education, however, especially university education, would cause the entry of women into the labor market. Divorced and single women have a positive effect on the probability of female participation rate, but widows have shown to have a negative effect. The relationship between age and the likelihood of participation of women is an inverted U; that is, at a young age, women are more likely to take part in the labor market than middle-age women. Being female-headed households also has a positive effect on the probability of female participation.
Women's Studies
Akbar Zare Shahabadi; Roqieh Mandani
Abstract
Power is an important social variable in the study of the social structure, institutions, groupsand individuals considered to be a conventional relationship and family is no exception. Themain purpose of this article to review the decision making power of women in the family iswhite and its influencing ...
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Power is an important social variable in the study of the social structure, institutions, groupsand individuals considered to be a conventional relationship and family is no exception. Themain purpose of this article to review the decision making power of women in the family iswhite and its influencing factors. This research is a quantitative survey, which was conductedin 2011 in the town of processes might work. Our findings indicate that women in decisionmakingprocesses might work in family income affect women, women's education, spouse'seducation, women's employment, place of birth, how to choose a wife, the mother of thefamily of origin and stereotypical attitudes towards gender. Also among the variables,variables such as age, age difference between spouses, length of marriage, type of marriageand legal barriers to women's decision-making power in the household are significant. Drthlylmultivariable regression variables as income, the mother's family of origin and stereotypicalattitudes, a total of 4.13% of the variance in family decision-making power of women in thepopulation account.
Mohammad Jalal Abbasi-Shavazi; Zohreh Khajehsalehi
Abstract
Like many developed and developing societies, Iran has experienced sharp fertility declineand reached below- replacement level fertility. As women have a major role in childbearing,their empowerment and autonomy will lead to changes in their fertility behavior, and manystudies have focused on various ...
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Like many developed and developing societies, Iran has experienced sharp fertility declineand reached below- replacement level fertility. As women have a major role in childbearing,their empowerment and autonomy will lead to changes in their fertility behavior, and manystudies have focused on various aspects of women's autonomy and fertility. This paperexamines the relationship between women’s autonomy and fertility behavior in theSirjan city.The data is drawn from the 2011 survey that collected information from around 400 womenof reproductive ages (15-49) in the Sirjan city in southeastern part of Iran. The results showedthat the relationship between women’s autonomy and fertility is insignificant when othersocial and economicindicators (i.e. social participation, education and employment) arecontrolled. The results of the logistic regression analysis indicated that among all differentvariables, social participation of women and their education level are the strong determinantsof dependent variable; as childbearing intention reduces with the rise in these two variables.Women’s age and children ever born are the other two important variables affectingchildbearing intentions. Given the results of this study, population policies in Iran in order tofacilitate childbearing for couples should provide opportunities in which women could be ableto continue their education, have their social participation as well as promoting childbearing.
Hooshang Nayebi; Meimanat Golshani
Abstract
This research is related to power conception and aims to investigate factors affectingwomen`s decision-making power in families. To do this, the Resources theory has been reliedon in this research. Based on the Resources theory, occupation, education, income, job statusand property are the factors related ...
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This research is related to power conception and aims to investigate factors affectingwomen`s decision-making power in families. To do this, the Resources theory has been reliedon in this research. Based on the Resources theory, occupation, education, income, job statusand property are the factors related to women`s decision-making power in families. In thisinvestigation, data was collected through the survey method and questionnairemethod.Thesamples were 350 jobless and employed married women in Babolwhich was taken by themulti-stage cluster sampling. The results showedthat women`s power is generally high infamilies and some variables such as job, educationand assetare the factors increasingwomen`s power. However, there is no relationship between income and job status andwomen`s power in families.
Marzieh Mousavi Khamaneh; AbouAli Vedadhir; Nasrin Barzgar
Volume 8, Issue 4 , February 2011
Abstract
This article aims to conduct a comparative cross-cultural study of the
educational status of women in terms of different aspects of human and gender development, and its relationship with the health, economic, and political indices. The research covers countries with different degrees of development ...
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This article aims to conduct a comparative cross-cultural study of the
educational status of women in terms of different aspects of human and gender development, and its relationship with the health, economic, and political indices. The research covers countries with different degrees of development in educational indices. The study makes use of quantitative methodological approach, and secondary data analysis (SDA) to draw on the cross-national data of the World Bank and the Human Development Reports. Data analysis, that examines relationship between variables, includes bi-variate and multivariate data analysis methods of Pearson's Correlation Coefficient and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis. This study also enjoys an integrated theoretical approach, bringing together the theory of women empowerment in development, and the theories of liberal feminists. The findings indicate that women’s education not only plays a central role in human development, but also improves gender development especially in the educational and health-related aspects. Despite narrowing down the gender gap between men and women, women’s status has not significantly changed in terms of economic and political participation across different countries or more generally at the international level during 1996-2006 period. Moreover, in all the cases studied, women’s educational indices show higher correlations with health-related indices. The results also demonstrate a considerable improvement in the equal status of men and women in health-related indices and life quality in all the continents, except Africa. However, advancement in educational indices does not necessarily lead to economic and political participation of women. Moreover, weaker correlation between economic and political indices, particularly in less developed countries, is observed.
Volume 5, Issue 2 , November 2007
Abstract
International experiences reveal that promotion of gender equality paves the way for developmental achievements in a way that it ensures equal living standards and human rights for all individuals. Nowadays gender equality is not only one of the principles of human rights but is emphasized for alleviating ...
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International experiences reveal that promotion of gender equality paves the way for developmental achievements in a way that it ensures equal living standards and human rights for all individuals. Nowadays gender equality is not only one of the principles of human rights but is emphasized for alleviating poverty, upgrading living standards and stabilizing economy.
The relation between democracy, development and equality is taken for granted thus to realize this it is necessary to conduct structural reformations for increasing women’s participation in political and social life. No doubt supporting women’s role and reinforcing it in the society improves hygiene and health care, enhances level of education, voluntarily controls population growth and generally improves economic growth and equal distribution of benefits.
During the past decades there have been fundamental changes in the role and status of women. Many countries have come to an agreement and reached a consensus on the reduction of gender gap regarding education, healthcare, occupation, and social welfare. Data regarding Iran suggest that although there have been effective attempts in reducing gender gap but still women face many problems. Some of these problems and obstacles are due to pressures and forces of development but a great part of it is related to culture and dominating traditions.
The third five-year development plan is distinguished from other plans in terms of emphasizing on indices and necessities of reducing gender gaps. This study demonstrates that from many aspects there are fewer gaps and gender inequality in many provinces nevertheless this is totally different regarding occupation.
Volume 1, Issue 7 , November 2003
Abstract
This article argues that investment in female education not only reduces the gender gap, but also leads to greater efficiency, increasing production, and higher income. The study is based on human capital theory, with an emphasis on gender. Secondary data was utilized. The findings reveal that increased ...
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This article argues that investment in female education not only reduces the gender gap, but also leads to greater efficiency, increasing production, and higher income. The study is based on human capital theory, with an emphasis on gender. Secondary data was utilized. The findings reveal that increased education similarly affect women and men’s wage levels, however, greater investment in higher levels of education (because of increasing financial and opportunity costs) produce lower returns. Given the fact that the average education level of women in Iran and most of the world is less than men, female education has a greater final output than male education. Additionally, economists believe that female education has a higher social return because of the important role educated women play in promoting the health, well-being, and education of their children. Educated women are more active in the labor force, in production and income-generating activities, pay more taxes and as such, contribute to the expansion of the tax base.
Volume 1, Issue 7 , November 2003
Abstract
Rapid technological and cultural changes of the past two centuries in developed countries and their effects on modernization in other societies, including Iran, have preoccupied many social scientists. This study aims to measure the level of modernity among women who are active in the cultural realm ...
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Rapid technological and cultural changes of the past two centuries in developed countries and their effects on modernization in other societies, including Iran, have preoccupied many social scientists. This study aims to measure the level of modernity among women who are active in the cultural realm (teaching profession). Modernization theories confirm that conditions such as urban dwelling, industrialization, level of education, communication, social participation, socialization patterns, and socio-economic status accelerate modernization. The modem individual believes in science, adapts to new experiences, seeks equality and independence, is achievement-oriented, civil-minded, global and democratic, and takes risks. The study applied secondary data and surveyed women teachers in the city of Tehran. The findings reveal that 72.3% of the instructors are modern-oriented and that education length and social status has a significant relationship with levels of modernity.
Volume 2, Issue 1 , March 2003
Abstract
In the past two decades, the expansion of ethnic identity move¬ments has increased the number of studies examining the social, cultural, and political dynamics of ethnicity. A review of the studies demonstrates that the gender aspect of ethnicity has been largely over-looked and tended to consider gender ...
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In the past two decades, the expansion of ethnic identity move¬ments has increased the number of studies examining the social, cultural, and political dynamics of ethnicity. A review of the studies demonstrates that the gender aspect of ethnicity has been largely over-looked and tended to consider gender as a contextual variable. This article is based on the findings of a survey in four cities of Sistan and Baluchestan Province, to examine the importance of gender attitude in the development of ethnic identity. The hypothesis is that the unequal status of the two ethnic groups (Baluch and Non-Baluch) especially in terms of access to educational opportunities, has resulted in two different attitudes with respect to gender roles. Traditional and relatively modern attitudes of gender have differentiated the two ethnic groups. Additionally, it has impacted the family structure and the social
dynamics within ethnic groups. The analysis of the data attributes many of the differences between groups to differences in the level of education .Other variables, such as different religions, also affect the difference in perspectives and cultural behavior.
Volume 2, Issue 1 , March 2003
Abstract
New poverty paradigm considers the reasons for deprivation of
female headed households: gender and lack of access to resources. This paradigm conveys the urgency and need for raising the question of "whether female headed households are the poorest of the poor?" The goal of this paper is to examine ...
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New poverty paradigm considers the reasons for deprivation of
female headed households: gender and lack of access to resources. This paradigm conveys the urgency and need for raising the question of "whether female headed households are the poorest of the poor?" The goal of this paper is to examine whether this generalization holds true in the case of Iran. Available national macro statistics on an absolute poverty and relative poverty in the period of 1370-1380 (1991-2001) have been analyzed and examined for the purpose of this research. The main findings indicate that women are at increased risk of poverty and that the poverty rate of female headed households is higher than the poverty rate of male headed households, but the gap between the two groups has diminished. While the poverty rate of female headed households in urban areas has decreased, uneducated and low literate female headed households remain at high risk of poverty. Also, the study indicates that as the number of income earners in these families increase, the likelihood of poverty in the poorest segments of this population decreases. Female headed households of Iran, because oflow education levels, small families and fewer numbers of income earners within the family can be classified as the poorest groups living in poverty.
Volume 2, Issue 1 , March 2003
Volume 2, Issue 1 , March 2003
Abstract
Women's social and economic participation is considered to be an important development indicator. In developing countries, however, social and cultural factors have limited the opportunity for women's participation in social and economic structures. This paper examines the factors which promote the rate ...
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Women's social and economic participation is considered to be an important development indicator. In developing countries, however, social and cultural factors have limited the opportunity for women's participation in social and economic structures. This paper examines the factors which promote the rate of participation by women in the labor market within the provinces of Iran. The methodology applied is a regression model utilizing panel data. The results indicate; factors influencing the women's participation in the labor market include level of education, the incentive to gain income, and the rate of male unemployment. Negative factors include rural-urban migration (the rate of urbanization), rate of women's unemployment, and the birthrate. The trend of women's participation in the labor market of Iran is V-shaped in which has experienced an upward turn in recent years.
