Identification of Sociological Components of Women’s Employment on Family Authority: A Qualitative Study Using Thematic Analysis among Working Mothers in District One of Tehran
Keywords:
Women's employment, family authority, working women, theme analysis, TehranAbstract
Family authority, as one of the most significant social foundations, plays a vital role in the health and stability of society. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of examining the impact of mothers’ employment on the structure of authority within the family. The approach of this study was qualitative, and thematic analysis was employed for data analysis. The statistical population included 26 employed women with at least one child in District One of Tehran, who were studied using semi-structured in-depth interviews and theoretical sampling. The findings of this research revealed that mothers’ employment, as a transformative phenomenon, influences three main components: the structural characteristics of the family, consequences, and social class. The results indicated that women’s employment led to an increase in decision-making power and a more symmetrical distribution of authority within the family. This process was associated with the enhancement of valuable resources (financial and social) among women, thereby shifting the traditional structure of authority toward a democratic and participatory model. However, the findings also highlighted a duality in the experiences of working mothers; while they gained independence, self-esteem, empowerment, and authority, they also faced negative consequences such as role conflict, psychological exhaustion, and a lack of structural support. These challenges underscore the necessity of revising social policies and strengthening family support systems to maintain family balance and well-being.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Nasrin Javadi (Author); Ali Rahmani Firooz Jah; Ali Asghar Abbasi Asfajir, Manochehr Pahlevan (Author)
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