Peer-reviewed article
Factors Influencing the Decision to Have Children in Iranian Military Families: A Qualitative Study
Nima Saberi, Davoud Nodehi, Ahmad Salami ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-sonnet-5-5This qualitative study looked at what shapes the decision to have children in military families in Tehran, Iran. The researchers interviewed 18 members of military families and analysed the interviews using grounded theory. They identified factors that discourage or encourage childbearing, such as economic costs, family support, faith-based motives, parents' psychological capacity, job structure and population policies. The authors suggest the findings could help policymakers design supportive policies that increase parents' motivation to have children.
Key points
- 18 members of military families in Tehran were interviewed using semi-structured interviews.
- Analysis produced 13 selective categories, 38 axial categories and 156 subcategories.
- Both inhibiting and encouraging factors influence childbearing decisions.
- Factors named include economic costs, family support networks, parents' psychological capacity, parenting experience, and organizational and occupational structure.
- Other factors named are coherence of population policies, changing contemporary lifestyles and institutionalization of structural support.
Limitations
The study is about parents' fertility decisions, not the well-being of children, so it gives no information on child outcomes. It uses a small purposive sample from one city and one occupational group, so the findings may not apply more widely.
Abstract
Objective: The present study was conducted to explain the dynamics of military families and the factors influencing childbearing within the context of Iranian society. Methods and Materials: This study was conducted using a qualitative approach based on grounded theory, employing the Strauss and Corbin paradigmatic model. The participants were selected from military families residing in Tehran, Iran. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews using purposive sampling with 18 members of military families. The data were analyzed in three stages of coding (open, axial, and selective) and categorized into main themes. Findings: Analysis of the participants’ interviews led to the identification of 13 selective categories, 38 axial categories, and 156 subcategories. Childbearing among military families is influenced by numerous inhibiting and encouraging factors, including economic costs, family support networks, generational continuity and national authority, commitment to the leadership discourse system, faith-based action, parents’ psychological capacity, parenting experience, organizational and occupational structure, coherence of population policies, transformation of contemporary lifestyles, and institutionalization of structural support. Conclusion: The findings of the study can assist policymakers and social planners in shifting their focus from general factors toward key and realistic components involved in the childbearing decision-making process and in designing supportive policies aimed at increasing family satisfaction and enhancing parents’ inclination and motivation toward childbearing.