عدم گرایش به فرزندآوری در بافت فرهنگی خوزستان
محورهای موضوعی : آسیب‌های اجتماعی مرتبط با همسرگزینی، تغییر الگوهای ازدواج، طلاق و ناپایداری خانواده
هنگامه آریا نژاد
1
,
جعفر کردزنگنه
2
,
منصور شریفی
3
1 - دانشجوی دوره دکتری جمعیت¬شناسی واحد علوم تحقیقات، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، تهران، ایران
2 - استادیار گروه علوم اجتماعی، دانشگاه پیام نور، ایران
3 - دانشیار جمعیت‌شناسی، گروه علوم اجتماعی، واحد گرمسار، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، گرمسار، ایران
کلید واژه:
چکیده مقاله :
پدیده بیفرزندی به عنوان یکی از ویژگی‌های جمعیت‌شناختی مرتبط با رفتار باروری، موضوع تحقیق حاضر است. این پژوهش به طور خاص و مستقل بر بیفرزندی ارادی زنان در استان خوزستان متمرکز و با روش کیفی و رویکرد نظریه زمینه‌ای انجام شد. با 28 مصاحبه نیمه‌ساختاریافته عمیق از زنان بی‌فرزند که مشکل ناباروری نداشته‌اند، ولی تصمیم به بیفرزندی دایمی گرفته بودند، اشباع دادهها حاصل شد. بر اساس سه سطح کدگذاری باز، محوری و انتخابی، در نهایت 120 مفهوم یا کد، 19 مقوله فرعی و 6 مقوله اصلی و مقوله هسته بیفرزندی به‌مثابه یک سبک زندگی از مجموع مصاحبهها کشف و به عنوان نتیجه، انتخاب این سبک از زندگی، محصول یک عامل نیست و به صورت تصادفی در جامعه شکل نگرفته است. این پدیده، نتیجه یک فرایند زمانی است که مشارکتکنندگان در نهایت با جمعبندی همه عواملی که در این فرایند اتفاق افتاده است، تصمیم به انجام کنش بیفرزندی گرفتهاند. ارائه سیاستهای اجتماعی که از حق انتخاب زنان در زمینه فرزندآوری یا عدم فرزندآوری حمایت کند، توسعۀ برنامه‌های آموزشی و آگاهی‌افزایی عمومی برای کاهش نگرش‌های منفی و کلیشه‌ها درباره زنانی که تصمیم به بیفرزندی می‌گیرند و همچنین سیاستهای حمایتی شغلی برای این زنان پیشنهاد می‌گردد.
Voluntary Childlessness in the Cultural
Context of Khuzestan
Hengameh Aryanezhad*
Jafar Kordzangeneh **
Mansour Sharifi ***
Voluntary childlessness, as a significant demographic characteristic of reproductive behavior, is the focus of this study. This research specifically examines the phenomenon among women in Khuzestan Province, Iran, using a qualitative methodology of the grounded theory approach. Data were collected through 28 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with childless women who, despite having no infertility issues, made a deliberate choice for lifelong childlessness. Data saturation was achieved, and analysis through open, axial, and selective coding resulted in 120 concepts, 19 subcategories, 6 main categories, and a core category identified as "childlessness as a lifestyle." The findings reveal that the choice of this lifestyle is not driven by a single factor nor emerges randomly in society. Instead, it is the outcome of a dynamic process wherein participants, by synthesizing various influencing factors, decide to adopt childlessness. Recommendations include implementing social policies to support women’s reproductive autonomy, developing public education and awareness programs to reduce negative attitudes and stereotypes toward childless women, and establishing employment support policies for these women.
Keywords: Voluntary Childlessness, Women, Cultural Transformations, Khuzestan Province, Lifestyle.
Introduction
Voluntary childlessness has emerged as a notable demographic phenomenon in contemporary societies, particularly in regions like Khuzestan Province, Iran, which has historically been characterized by strong cultural norms favoring high fertility. Economic, social, cultural, and psychological factors, alongside women’s lived experiences from childhood to adulthood, significantly influence the decision to remain permanently childless. This study seeks to provide a deeper understanding of this complex decision and its implications within the cultural context of Khuzestan.
Methodology
This research adopted a qualitative approach based on grounded theory. Data were collected through 28 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with married women in Khuzestan who had no fertility issues but consciously chose lifelong childlessness. Data saturation was achieved, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the phenomenon. The data were analyzed through three levels of coding: open, axial, and selective. The findings were validated through participant checks and consultations with expert academics.
Findings
The analysis yielded 120 concepts, 19 subcategories, and 6 main categories, with the core category identified as "childlessness as a lifestyle." Women’s decisions were shaped by causal conditions (e.g., economic and social challenges, upbringing experiences), contextual factors (e.g., time constraints, unstable support systems), and intervening conditions (e.g., increased educational attainment, economic instability). Strategies adopted by these women included conscious childlessness, self-determined lifestyles, and, in some cases, substituting children with pets.
Discussion and Conclusion
The findings indicate that voluntary childlessness is not a random occurrence but a deliberate choice resulting from the interplay of multiple factors. Women in Khuzestan, influenced by challenging lived experiences and a critical perspective on traditional maternal roles, adopt childlessness to preserve personal autonomy, pursue professional goals, and navigate economic and social challenges. This decision aligns with broader cultural transformations and increasing social acceptance of childlessness in the region. Voluntary childlessness in Khuzestan is becoming institutionalized as a lifestyle choice. Policymakers can support this trend by promoting women’s reproductive autonomy, implementing public education initiatives to reduce social stigma, and developing flexible employment policies. Future research should explore the long-term impacts of childlessness on women’s quality of life in later years and its broader cultural implications.
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* Ph.D. Student in Demography, Research Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
** Corresponding Author: Assistant Professor of Demography, Department of Social Sciences, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran.
*** Associate professor of Demography, Department of Social Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Garmsar Branch, Semnan, Iran.
