Analyzing the lived experience of capable female heads of households in the economic field

Authors
Sorush Fathi 1
Zahra Dadgarfard 2
Parvin Dadandish 3
Zahra Zare 1
1 Department of Sociology, Faculty of Humanities, West Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 Faculty of Humanities, West Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 Faculty of Law and Political Science, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Introduction

The present study aims to qualitatively examine the lived experience of economically empowered female heads of households in order to extract a local pattern or model from their lived process that other female heads of households can also benefit from.

Methods and Materoal

Snowball sampling method was used to conduct the interviews. The interviews were conducted in person by the researcher until saturation point was reached. Therefore, the researcher interviewed 13 economically capable female heads of households until theoretical saturation.

Resultss and Discussion

Overall, 157 open codes, 42 axial codes, 15 selected codes, and one axial category were extracted from the interviews. The results showed that the causal category of financial need, lack of basic needs, and family disorder had a significant impact. The existence of support organizations and charities, laws protecting female heads of households, and receiving facilities from support organizations are among the intervening categories. Also, heavy family obligations and lack of social and family support were identified as underlying factors. In the meantime, there are strategies for female heads of households, including taking advantage of support services and facilities from government organizations and charities, receiving economic and social skills training, and using facilities, programs, and services. This has led to effects and consequences, including increased income and employment, improved social and economic status, and reduced family and social tensions. The central issue is the need for economic empowerment. Women heads of economically empowered households initially lacked sufficient economic experience and skills, or even the necessary preparation, to become heads. Economic empowerment has reduced deprivation and social exclusion and has enabled them to integrate into society and social groups

Conclusion

The results of the present study, which examined the lived experience of economically empowered female heads of households, showed that female heads of households initially had circumstances in which they had lost their husbands or had separated from their husbands, and most of them were not in a good financial situation.

They have also experienced family tensions, infidelity and violence from their spouse, poor financial conditions, and overwhelming obligations and responsibilities.

In addition, during the absence of a spouse or separation from a spouse, the responsibility for children and providing for the family's livelihood needs, as well as the conditions of society and their sense of need, played an important role in achieving economic empowerment. Therefore, family disorganization, financial need, and failure to meet basic needs were considered as causal factors.

The presence of support organizations can be considered an effective element in this regard. The optimal use of services has played an effective role in improving their conditions, and it can be said that these women used services and employment in a way that was appropriate and purposeful. This shows that intervening factors, including the existence of support organizations and charities, laws supporting female heads of households, receiving facilities from the support organization, and personality traits in line with empowerment (desire for social and economic independence) were also influential. Overall, it can be concluded that these women did not have sufficient experience and skills from the beginning, and were not even prepared to become caregivers. However, as they became economically empowered, their deprivation and social exclusion decreased, and their integration into society and social groups expanded. Their capacity to improve their personal and social status will also increase. Therefore, a process was undertaken to transform a woman who was a head of household in need of support into an economically empowered woman.
Keywords
lived experience
female heads of household
Education
Social Support
economic empowerment
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Human and Information Interaction
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