Childbearing Rights of Couples in View of Jurists with an Emphasis on Imam Khomeini’s Opinion

Abstract

Childbearing is a natural practice by man and it is not limited to certain time, place or individual. For various reasons, the term is normally referred to as “the right of having child” in related texts. But first, evidence on legal duty of such practice is not certain in the language of the legislator. This exposes defining the nature of childbearing to challenges since legislator has not provided such definition. Secondly, presuming legality of the issue, its limits, degree of choice by individuals in enjoying or not enjoying such right, contradiction in will of childbearing by couples, etc. have not been put on paper. This descriptive-analytical research study first reviews the possibility of the duality of nature of “childbearing”, studies the conditions of each one of the couples independently, in terms of deserving such right, its longitudinal and latitudinal aspects, will of the couples, situation resulting from contradiction in will of the couples to have a child, in view of jurists and religious texts. Findings of this research study indicates that despite emphasis of some jurists on the right of women in claim of offspring, no obligation of parties to everything accompanying it, preference of the will of husband in presumed contradiction, it is difficult to prove childbearing is a “right of woman”. Apparently religious texts in alleged proof of attributing such rights for woman, considers it a right of man in the course of the right and practice of childbearing.

Keywords

• imam khomeini
• childbearing right
• natural rights
• childbearing
• dismissal