Journal of Iranian Social Studies

Abstract The phenomenon of domestic violence is considered as the origin of many individual and social harms and it occurs in all developed and developing countries and among all socio-economic, age, and vocational groups. In the current study, using the qualitative approach of grounded theory, husbands' violence against wives was studied based on the viewpoint and life experience of women affected by violence. In order to collect data 35 women who were victims of violence and had referred to the social emergency centers were interviewed. The research findings were classified in 29 primary concepts in open coding, then were classified in eight main categories. The canonical category obtained as "the reflection of socio-cultural structure of the society". The results show that the highest rate of violence has been experienced among women aged 30 to 40 years. Findings of this study show that among types of violence, psycho-emotional and physical violence is more common. The qualitative findings of the current study, while referring to the general elements of husbands' violence against women such as low level of education, unemployment, poverty, and the undesirable economic conditions, also presented some special categories like the existence of patriarchal thoughts, compulsory marriage, the reduction in interpersonal trust, the reduction in social support, experiencing  violence in family of origin, low level of women's authority in the family structure, and the reduction in cooperation in the family.       

Abstract Divorce is one of the most important issues of families. The divorce rates could be a proximate indicator of health and stability of family. In this regard the situation of families could be traced on a spectrum from quite well and stable to quite unstable. This research was conducted on a sample of 1200 families in Tehran. The data gathered trough "Khojastemehr" and "Takrimi" questionnaires. Based on the pathological problems of families, the risk of divorce was obtained. The results of study indicate that when the socio-economic status of families is controlled, there is a weak relationship between problems of families and the risk of divorce. Therefore, the risk of divorce depends on factors other than family threats and problems.    

Abstract This research focuses primarily on one of the main challenges of the contemporary family and examines the patterns and determinants of social attitudes towards abortion in Iran. It is acknowledged that the contemporary family is facing a wider range of challenges including increasing the age at marriage, fertility decline, increasing rates of divorce and cohabitation, and other emerging forms of family such as one-child and single-parent families.  The results of this article are based on a survey conducted in rural and urban areas of Ahvaz, Babolsar, Bojnord, Gonbad Kavos, Kamyaran, Mahmoudabad, Hamadan, and Saghez. The sample includes 4267 males and females aged 15 years old and over. Generally speaking, the results of this analysis indicate that about two-fifth of the respondents have positive attitudes towards abortion. However, further analysis show that this general pattern is significantly associated with demographic determinants (such as age, gender, place of residence, marital status, education, ideal size of family), determinants related to religiosity and gender attitudes.    

Abstract In recent years, following the penetration of modernity in all areas of life, family structure and marital satisfaction has undergone profound changes. The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between modernity, material-spiritual expectations and marital satisfaction. In so doing, a sample of 384 married women were selected via cluster sampling method. The data were gathered using questionnaires in Jiroft city located in Kerman province. The research tools were Inrich's marital satisfaction scale, Omidvar's marital expectations scale, Sharma's modernizations scale, and the researcher made scale of material expectations. Results indicate that spiritual and material expectations are correlated with the marital satisfaction. Changes in the level of modernization, employment, education and income leads changes in the material-spiritual expectation. The results of regression analysis indicate that material and spiritual expectations and modernization, predicted 22.2% of the variance of marital satisfaction.    

Abstract Due to both religious and traditional state of Iranian society, conventional and legitimate forms of family formation has always been preferred. However, the ideals of Islamic republic have been seriously challenged by emergence of new family types such as cohabitation. Sociological analysis, therefore, would be required to see how the Iranian policy makers could come up with new religious interpretations in order to recognize most of those new types as “legitimate”. Cohabitation, in particular, needs to be tackled objectively, since it provides a family-like pattern which could act as a growing rival for the conventional forms of family.  Drawing on qualitative interviews with well-reputed experts, this study has focused on the ways of legitimizing new family forms in Iran. The results reveal that in spite of radical readings of Islam which reject any inclination to reinterpret “Sharia”, flexible and inclusive readings of religion are still possible, to give a much broader meaning to what is known as “legitimate” Islamic family.  

Abstract Attitude towards divorce may reflect the cultural and social conditions of society. A positive attitude towards divorce can have a significant effect on the quality of marital life and the probability of divorce in couple's life. The main purpose of this study is to review the studies on attitude towards divorce to categorize the factors influencing this attitude. The present study uses a qualitative meta-analysis method. For this purpose, all theses, scientific papers and research projects conducted from 1382 (2003) to 1394 (2015) were reviewed. The findings indicate that high levels of education, using internet and having satellite, higher social class, social and cultural differences of couples, conflict in the family, diminishing male economic role and small family size, are among the factors affecting the positive attitude towards divorce. Adherence to religion, traditionalism, marital satisfaction, lack of experience of divorce in the family, and social capital are effective in creating a negative attitude towards divorce. The positive attitude toward divorce shows a relatively increasing trend. This growing attitude is  due to individualism and liberalism, the reduction of institutional controls, post materialistic  values, modern lifestyles, the entry of women into the labor market, and the imbalance in the cost-benefit of marriage. It does not seem that the rising rate of divorce suggests more resolute determination to make marriage a fruitful and satisfying relationship.