Lived Experience of Married Women in Yazd Regarding Childbearing and Parenting with Emphasis on the Educational Conduct (Sirah) of Imam Reza (A.S.)

Alimondegari, Maliheh; Jafari Naeimi, Fatemeh

doi:10.22034/ijs.2025.521494.1592

Lived Experience of Married Women in Yazd Regarding Childbearing and Parenting with Emphasis on the Educational Conduct (Sirah) of Imam Reza (A.S.)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Maliheh Alimondegari ¹

Fatemeh Jafari Naeimi ²

¹ Associate Professor of Demography, Faculty of Social Sciences, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran.

² Ph.D. Candidate in Demography, Faculty of Social Sciences, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran.

10.22034/ijs.2025.521494.1592

Abstract

The fertility process is influenced by a wide range of factors. In this regard, a comprehensive understanding of women’s perceptions of the challenges of childbearing and the contextual grounds facilitating it can effectively contribute to formulating population policies. The primary objective of this research is to understand Yazdi women’s perceptions of the challenges of childbearing and how they confront this phenomenon.A qualitative research design of the phenomenological type was used to collect research data. Participants were 25 married women from Yazd, selected through purposive and theoretical sampling. Data were collected over a four-month period from the beginning of Shahrivar to the end of Azar 1397 (August-December 2018), using semi-structured interviews as the instrument. Data analysis was conducted using the Van Manen method, employing holistic, selective, and detailed approaches to extract themes from the text. The main categories of the research included the value of children, perceived risks, and strategies of parenting and childbearing. The results of this study indicated that attitudes towards childbearing among married women in Yazd are a combination of traditional values and modern considerations. Childbearing is influenced by concepts such as life meaning, generational continuity, and psychological security, as well as factors such as economic status, women’s employment, cultural-religious developments, and communication technologies.Given socio-economic and religious transformations, supportive policymaking in the realm of childbearing -particularly support for working mothers, ensuring economic security, enhancing child-rearing and educational services, and utilizing the Sirah (conduct) of Imam Reza (A.S.) in child upbringing- can play an effective role in improving the processes of childbearing and parenting.

Keywords

Childbearing Challenges

Value of Children

Sirah of Imam Reza (A.S.)

Lived Experience

Women of Yazd City

20.1001.1.29811341.1404.3.9.3.4

Subjects

امام رضا علیه السلام و علوم اجتماعی

The Holy Qur’an (1389 SH). Translator: Makarem Shirazi, Nasser. Qom: Ali Ibn Abi Talib (A.S.).

Abbasi Shavazi, Mohammad Jalal & Hosseini Chavoshi, Meimanat (1392 SH). Fertility Trends in Iran over Four Decades, Application and Evaluation of the Own Children Method Using Census Data from 1365, 1375, 1385, 1390. Unpublished Report. Statistical Research and Training Center. Statistical Center of Iran.

Abbasi Shavazi, Mohammad Jalal & Hosseini, Hatem (1386 SH). Ethnic Differences in Fertility in Iran: Trends and Influencing Factors. Iranian Journal of Sociology, 8(4), 3-36.

Abbasi Shavazi, Mohammad Jalal et al. (1383 SH). Fertility Trends in Iran: Evidence from Four Selected Provinces. Tehran: Ministry of Health and Medical Education.

Abbasi-Shavazi, M. J., McDonald, P. & Hosseini-Chavoshi, M. (2009). The Fertility Transition in Iran: Revolution and Reproduction. Springer.

Aghayari Hir, Tavakkol et al. (1395 SH). Childbearing as a Risk. Strategic Studies of Women, 19(73), 8-333.

Akbarnejad, Mohammad & Taheri, Ali (1396 SH). Family and Child Uphringing in the Sirah of Imam Reza (A.S.). Razavi Culture, 5(17), 45-66.

Akbarnejad, Mohammad Ali (1399 SH). Recognition of the Educational Sirah of Imam Reza (A.S.) in Family Formation and Child Uphringing. National Conference on Family and Islamic Lifestyle. Retrieved from: https://civilica.com/doc/1217515

Alimandgari, Maliheh et al. (1403 SH). An Exploration into Motivational and Controlling Contexts of Childbearing in Yazd City. Applied Sociology, 73(1), 2-10.

Al-Majlisi, Muhammad Baqir (1383 SH). Bihar al-Anwar al-Jami’ah li-Durar Akhbar al-A’immah al-Athhar. Beirut: Dar Ihya’ al-Turath al-’Arabi.

Al-Raghib al-Isfahani, al-Husayn ibn Muhammad (1412 Q). Mufradat Alfaz al-Qur’an. Beirut: Dar al-Shamiyyah.

Andersson, G., Hank, K. & Vikat, A. (2007). Understanding parental gender preferences in advanced societies: Lessons from Sweden and Finland. Demographic Research, 17(6), 135–156.

Arabi, Seyyed Hadi et al. (1402 SH). Identifying and Prioritizing Factors Affecting Childbearing in Iran. Strategic Studies of Women, 25(99), 129-164.

Astan Quds Razavi (1402 SH). The Status of Mother in the Illuminating Words of Imam Reza (A.S.). Retrieved from: https://www.razavi.ir/fa/335511

‘Ataradi Quchani, ‘Azizullah (1413 Q). Musnad al-Imam al-Reza (A.S.). Beirut: Dar al-Safwah.

Dehghanizadeh, Hosseinali et al. (1399 SH). Maternal Guilt: A Qualitative Exploration of Women’s Employment in the Mother-Child Relationship. Tolu’-e Behdasht-e Yazd, 19(2), 16-32.

Dehkhoda, Ali Akbar (1377 SH). Lughatnameh-ye Dehkhoda. Tehran: University of Tehran.

Es’haghi, Mohammad et al. (1393 SH). Challenges of Childbearing for Employed Women in a Qualitative Study. Journal of Women in Development and Politics, 1, 111-134.

Fazeli, Elham et al. (1393 SH). The Relationship Between the Value of Children and Fertility Rate Among Women Referred to Health Centers. Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility, 17(108), 21-27.

Fiori, F., Rinesi, F., Pinnelli, A. & Prati, S. (2013). Economic insecurity and the fertility intentions of Italian women with one child. Population Research and Policy Review, 32(3), 373–413.

Flick, Uwe (1390 SH). An Introduction to Qualitative Research (Translated by Hadi Jalili). Tehran: Ney.

Ghasemipour, Gholamreza et al. (1401 SH). Lived Experience; Its Nature, Types, and Role in the Process of Literary Creativity. Literary Criticism, 60, 175-228.

Ghorbani, Fereshteh et al. (1402 SH). Examining Structural Factors of Social Determinants of Health on Childbearing Among Iranian Women: A Systematic Review Study. Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility, 26(2), 99-188.

Hara, T. (2008). Increasing childlessness in Germany and Japan: Toward a childless society. International Journal of Japanese Sociology, 17(1), 42–62.

Hariri, Najla (1385 SH). Principles and Methods of Qualitative Research. Tehran: Islamic Azad University.

Hashemi Shahroudi, Mahmoud (1382 SH). Farhang-e Feqh Motabeq-e Mazhab-e Ahl-e Bayt (A.S.). Qom: Islamic Jurisprudence Encyclopedia Based on the School of Ahl al-Bayt (A.S.).

Herati, Rabi’ah et al. (1400 SH). Child Uphringing in the Family from the Perspective of the Sirah of Imam Reza (A.S.). Razavi Culture, 9(33), 45-63.

Hosseini, Hatem & Begi, Bilal (1391 SH). Culture and Childbearing: A Study of Fertility Preferences of Kurdish Women in Mahabad City. Strategic Studies of Women, 15(58), 121-161.

Hosseini, Hatem & Begi, Bilal (1391 SH). Women’s Autonomy and Fertility Behaviors among Kurdish Women in Mahabad City. Women in Development and Politics, 4(10), 57-78.

Ibn Babawayh, Muhammad Ali (1378 SH). ‘Uyun Akhbar al-Rezaa (A.S.). Tehran: Jahan.

Ibn Manzur, Muhammad ibn Mukarram (1414 Q). Lisan al-’Arab. Beirut: Dar al-Fikr lil-Tiba’ah wa al-Nashr wa al-Tawzi’/Dar Sadir.

Imam Reza, Ali ibn Musa (1364 SH). Fiqh al-Reza (A.S.). Qom: Al al-Bayt (A.S.) li-Ihya’ al-Turath.

Ismaili Yazdi, Abbas (1385 SH). Farhang-e Tarbiyat [Culture of Education]. Qom: Masjid Muqaddas Jamkaran.

Kalateh Sadati, Ahmad et al. (1403 SH). Analyzing the Views of Elites Regarding Population Policies in Yazd City: A Qualitative Study. Tolu’-e Behdasht-e Yazd, 23(2), 100-118.

Karimi, Hamed (1393 SH). Determinants of Fertility Ideals among Kurdish Women in Sanandaj: A Comparative Study of Employed and Non-Employed Women. Master’s Thesis in Demography, Yazd University.

Khadivzadeh, Talat et al. (1393 SH). Determining the Relationship between Childbearing Motivations and Fertility Preferences. Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility, 17(111), 8-18.

Leibenstein, H. (1975). The economic theory of fertility decline. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 89(1), 1–31.

Lesthaeghe, R. & van de Kaa, D. J. (1986). Twee Demografische Transities? In R. Lesthaeghe & D. J. van de Kaa (Eds.), Groei of Krimp (Mens en Maatschappij) (pp. 9–24). Van Loghum-Slaterus.

Lindsey, L. L. (2015). Gender Roles: A Sociological Perspective (6th ed.). Prentice Hall.

Mahmoudian, Hossein & Rezaei, Mehdi (1391 SH). Women and the Practice of Low Childbearing: A Case Study of Kurdish Women. Strategic Studies of Women, 14(55), 173-225.

Mahmoudian, Hossein et al. (1388 SH). Contexts of Low Childbearing in Kurdistan Province, A Case Study of Saqqez City. Nameh-ye Anjoman-e Jam’iyat Shenasi-ye Iran, 4(8), 85-122.

McDonald, P. (1977). Gender equity, social institutions and the future of fertility (Working Paper in Demography, No. 69). Australian National University.

McDonald, P. (1996). Demographic life transitions: An alternative theoretical paradigm. Health Transition Review, 6(Supplement), 385–392.

McNicoll, G. (1980). Institutional determinants of fertility change. Population and Development Review, 6(3), 441–462.

Mills, M., Mencarini, L., Tanturrini, M. L. & Begall, K. (2008). Gender equity and fertility intentions in Italy and the Netherlands. Demographic Research, 18(1), 1–26.

Mohammad Taghizadeh, Mahdieh & Ghiasvand, Ahmad (1402 SH). The Plights of Employed Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experiences and Consequences. Social Issues of Iran, 1, 153-184.

Moradi, Nahid et al. (1393 SH). Investigating Factors Affecting Childbearing Desires Among Shia and Sunni Women Aged 15-49 Residing in Rural Areas of Kamyaran County. Master’s Thesis, Yazd University.

Mustafawi, Hasan (1368 SH). Al-Tahqiq fi Kalimat al-Qur’an al-Karim. Tehran: Farhang va Irshad Islami.

Neyer, G., Lappegård, T. & Vignoli, D. (2011). Gender equality and fertility: Which equality matters? Stockholm Research Reports in Demography, 28(9), 1–144.

Notestein, F. W. (1952). The economics of population and food supplies. [City: Publisher].

Nurollahzadeh, Askar (1392 SH). A Study of the Behavior, Desires, and Fertility Ideals of Married Women Aged 15-49 in Dehloran City. Master’s Thesis, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University.

Ranjbar, M., Rahimi, M. K., Heidari, E., Bahariniya, S., Alimondegari, M., Lotfi, M. H. & Shafaghat, T. (2024). What factors influence couples’ decisions to have children? Evidence from a systematic scoping review. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 24(1), 223.

Rastami, Milad & Imani Jajarmi, Hossein (1395 SH). A Study of Unemployment from the Perspective of Rural Unemployed Individuals and Its Consequences. Development Quarterly, 11(1), 73-73.

Razavizadeh, Neda et al. (1394 SH). Contexts of Low Fertility Desires and Delayed Childbearing: A Case Study of Women in Mashhad. Culture Strategy, 8(31), 73-89.

Razeghi Nasrabad, Hojjat Bibi & Saraei, Hasan (1393 SH). Cohort (Generational) Analysis of Women’s Attitudes Towards the Value of Children in Semnan Province. Women in Development and Politics Quarterly, 12(2), 229-250.

Razeghi Nasrabad, Hojjat Bibi (1392 SH). Ideal and Actual Number of Children and the Gap Between Them in Three Selected Provinces: Semnan, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, and Hormozgan. Tehran: Institute for Comprehensive and Specialized Population Management and Studies.

Razeghi Nasrabad, Hojjat Bibi et al. (1393 SH). Phenomenology of the Timing of First Birth Among Women in Tehran. Strategic Studies of Women, 16(63), 57-95.

Sadeghi, Rasul & Shahabi, Zahra (1398 SH). Work-Motherhood Conflict: The Experience of Transition to Motherhood among Employed Women in Tehran. Applied Sociology, 30(1), 91-104.

Shakeri Nejad, Gholamreza et al. (1395 SH). Investigating the Views of Single-Child Men and Women in Ahvaz Regarding Childbearing: A Qualitative Study. Tolu’-e Behdasht, 15(5), 81-95.

Shakeri, Seyyed Reza & Kamalizadeh, Mohammad (1399 SH). From Mind to Lived Experience; A Comparative Analysis in the Early and Later Poetry of Qeysar Aminpour. Persian Language and Literature Research, 58, 135-160.

Statistical Center of Iran (1395 SH). Trend of Fertility Rate in Iran. Tehran: Statistical Center of Iran.

Statistical Center of Iran (1400 SH). Trend of Fertility Rate in Iran from 1396 to 1399. Retrieved from: https://amar.org.ir/Portals/0/amarmozuii/infographics/Fe-iran_1399.jpg

Van Manen, M. (2016). Researching lived experience: Human science for an action sensitive pedagogy (2nd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315421056

Western, B., Bloom, D., Sosnaud, B. & Tach, L. (2012). Economic insecurity and social stratification. Annual Review of Sociology, 38, 341–359.

Yeraqi, Sa’ideh et al. (1398 SH). Analyzing the Lived Experiences of Employed Women in Isfahan Regarding Breastfeeding. Applied Sociology, 30(1), 2-10.