پژوهشهای راهبردی مسائل اجتماعی ایران (Dec 2021)
Mothers as Household Heads and Family Happiness: A Qualitative Study among Female-Headed Households in Yazd City
Abstract
Introduction:Since the late of 20th century, happiness has been chosen as one of the subjects of study because lack of paying attention to it has increased mental illness and disorders, especially anxiety and depression. For this reason, the variable of vitality has been included in the related calculations as one of the key criteria considered by the United Nations to determine the development levels of countries since 2000. Man needs happiness as a fundamental need, which has an important role in his psycho-social life. However, it could be said that in the outside world, no improvement is observed in his non-material and spiritual aspect of life despite the promotion and development in his material aspect of life, especially technology. Today, the sense of happiness is more important than happiness itself and this phenomenon is one of the dimensions of social development. Family is one of the institutions that can provide happiness for its members in the society. Social interactions among mothers and their family members can increase happiness in families. Therefore, the aim of the present paper was to study the role of woman as household heads in creating happiness in their families. Materials & Methods:This research was based on a qualitative method and content analysis technique. The study sample included all the female-headed households with women aged between 20 and 50 years, who had at least one child, in Yazd City in 2022. The intended and purposive sample was associated with the technique of snow-ball sampling. The studied women were introduced by those, who had interactions with them. The data-gathering technique involved in-depth interviews. The researchers interviewed the mentioned women with an emphasis on the secrecy of their information based on ethical rules. The time of interviews was 40-60 min. After completing the data-gathering phase, coding was done to reach the theoretical saturation and find the final theme. To validate the data, the participants’ feedbacks were applied. Throughout the research phases, obeying the rules of confidentiality and trusteeship was emphasized. Discussion of Results & Conclusions:In this research, the roles of women as household heads in creating happiness in their families were studied in Yazd City. In the final phase of coding and analysis, the following 6 themes or categories were identified: 1) reflexive attitude; 2) non-escape activity; 3) economic management of life; 4) stigma derived from culture; 5) attempt for developing and improving social relationships; and 6) completed growth of children. These categories could be put in the final category or core of double parenthood. This category meant that mothers as household heads took both the roles of motherhood and fatherhood as much as possible. These women had to do economic activities outside their houses besides providing calmness, peace, and security for their children in the absence of their fathers. They tried to create happiness in their children via several mechanisms, especially by providing their material and non-material needs with an emphasis on rich social interactions. The findings of this study showed that promoting and empowering women as household heads, especially through participatory mechanisms, were dependent on civil associations and support institutions, which in turn could affect the society in a positive way. Based on the results, paying attention to the needs of household heads and empowering them can subsequently affect happiness in families. It is recommended that managers of supportive institutions and socio-cultural policymakers pay attention to female-headed households.
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