برهمکنش فرهنگ و تجرد: واکاوی ابعاد فردی و اجتماعی- فرهنگی طولانی شدن دوران تجرد دختران در شهر یزد

تغییرات اجتماعی در خانواده ایرانی، به برساخت‌های اجتماعی متفاوت و از جمله طولانی شدن دوره تجرد دختران انجامیده است. تجربه‌ی تجرد در نسل‌ها و سنین مختلف متفاوت است. با توجه به افزایش دختران مجرد در جامعه، هدف تحقیق حاضر، کشف و واکاوی تجرد در میان دختران بالای 35 سال در شهر یزد می‌باشد. تحقیق حاضر، مطالعه‌ای کیفی است که در سال 1402 انجام شد. مشارکت‌کنندگان در تحقیق شامل 15 دختر مجرد بالای 35 سال در شهر یزد  بوده‌اند که به‌صورت هدفمند انتخاب شدند. داده‌ها به روش تحلیل مضمونی واکاوی و نقشه مضمونی آن ارائه گردید. یافته‌ها نشان داد که بیشتر مشارکت‌کنندگان شرایط فعلی خود را غیررضایت‌بخش می‌دانند و با نوعی سخت‌زیستی تجرد مواجه‌اند. ته‌نشست‌های فرهنگی و اجتماعی نسبت به دختران مجرد از یک‌سو و محدودیت‌های فردیِ مشارکت‌کنندگان از سوی دیگر، رفاه ذهنی، روانی و اجتماعی آن‌ها را تحت‌تاثیر قرار داده است. مضامین برساخت‌شده تحقیق عبارتند از: پذیرش اجتماعی تجرد، ابرشکاف‌های هنجاری، تبعیض و فشار، ایده‌آل‌گرایی و زیستِ نامتعین. مضمون هسته، زنانگی بازمانده است که به‌معنای یک امر بالقوه اما ناکام است. تحقیق حاضر ابعاد فردی و اجتماعی تجرد دختران دهه شصت و قبل از آن را در بستر مذکور واکاوی نموده است.

the intersection of culture and celibacy: exploring individual and socio-cultural aspects of prolonged single life among unmarried women in yazd, iran

abstract social changes in the iranian family have resulted in various social constructs, such as  lenghty period of being singleness among women. the experience of celibacy varies across different cohorts and age groups. considering the rise in age at marriage and increasing the number of unmarried women in society, this research aims to explore experience of celibacy among unmarried women who are 35 years and older in yazd, iran.  the present research is a qualitative inquiry carried out in 2023, involved 15 purposefully selected unmarried women as participants. thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data, which was then organized into a thematic map. the results showed that majority of participants are dissatisfied with their single status, experiencing a  life filled with challenges related to their unmarried state. the research findings suggest that societal and cultural prejudices against single women, together with personal barriers, have negatively impacted their mental, emotional, and social well-being. the themes of the research include the coping with singleness, normative super-gaps, the challenges of discrimination and societal pressures, idealism, and uncertain life trajectory. the core theme is ‘postponed femininity’, signifying potential that remain unfulfilled. this research sheds light on both the individual and societal aspects of celibacy among  women in the baby boom cohort of 1980s and earlier periods. introduction iranian society has been experiencing significant social and cultural shifts in recent decades. among the institutions profoundly impacted by these shifts is the family unit. the concept of girls’ celibacy is a socially constructed phenomenon, shaped by personal interpretation and lived experiences. research indicates a rising trend of older unmarried women in iran over the last two decades. according to the statistics by statistical center of iran, the proportion of never-married indivisuals above age 40 has been on the rise since 1996. also, the number of never-married women above 40 years old surpasses that of their male counterparts in the same age groups. therefor, contemporary iranian women confront historical and cultural barriers defined by traditiones on one side and the expansive force of social change in modern world on the other. for these women, celibacy can carry unique meanings, understandings, and interpretations.women from the baby boom cohorts of 1980s or earlier have faced celibacy in distinct way; they have seen their chances of marriage diminish, leading them towards lifelong singleness. additionally, they are dealing with new social and cultural challenges and significant societal changes that make their experiences particularly unique. they reside within traditionl families from which they cannot escape from. they observe profound cultural shifts in the subsequent cohorts of women. they also have personal and social needs which, due to psychological and cultural constraints, cannot be conventionally resolved. in response to the research gap in this area, this research explores the perceptions and experiences of celibacy among a selected group of women in yazd. thus, the study poses the question: how does culture influence the state of celibacy? in other word, this research aims to explore the interplay between cultural context and celibacy. method and datathe present research is a qualitative study was carried out among unmarried women aged 35 and older in yazd, iran. data were gathered in 2023 through semi-structured interviews, with participants selected via targeted and heterogeneous sampling method to ensure maximum diversity. to provide richer descriptions and narratives about the research subject, participants included women from various educational levels, professions, as well as social statuses, as well as some immigrant who have settled in yazd for a long period of time. the interview process continued until data saturation. the research employed thematic analysis. at the end of the study, an attempt was made to construct a thematic map to elucidate the findings and to better conceptualize the findings. findingsoveral, the participants in the research found themselves in a conflicting and fragile situation, which left them unsatisfied,  with no apparent way out. they had experienced regret over missed opportunities for marriage, with many of their previous ideals that once guided them have largely not been fulfilled now. participants are grappling with cultural, social, and familial challenges that complicate their adaptation to the evolving expectations of the younger generations. they find themselves in a phase of cultural deprivation where, despite the broader acceptance of celibacy, they experience societal neglect, particularly as single, home-bound women. additionally, they are unable to adjust to new social realities. the participants’ statements highlighted the significant  role of cultural elements in shaping celibacy and its implications. amidst cultural shifts within a traditionally conservative milieu, our findings revealed a cultural residue, manifested in five main themes: coping with singleness, normative super-gaps, the challenges of discrimination and societal pressure, idealism, and uncertain life trajectory. conclusion and discussionthe research findings reveal that the persistence of femininity within the context of research is influenced by cultural and social changes.  it is crucial for fostering stability in cultural dimensions and attitudes at both the individual and societal levels,  especially concerning marriage and celibacy to overcome these challenges. it seems that moving beyond these conditions to a stage where marriage is not perceived as as an obstacle requires creating a supportive familial, cultural, and social environment that aligns with the evolving inclinations of women towards independence. it also necessitates paying attention to the physical aspect when discussing having children. a cultural realignment through a  reassessing gender roles is ncessary. in essence, social support mechanisms, such as enabaling independence in getting married and having children, creating a supportive environment for marriage at older ages, and redefining the ideal age for marriage, can effectively lower the celibacy rate among woment and motivate them to marry.