Etiology of Divorce Based on the Lived Experience of Divorced Couples (Case Study: Khorramabad City)
Subject Areas : آسیبهای اجتماعی مرتبط با همسرگزینی، تغییر الگوهای ازدواج، طلاق و ناپایداری خانواده
1 - Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences, Hazrat Ayatollah Aozama Boroujerdi University, Boroujerd, Iran.
Keywords: divorce, structure and agency, contextual theory and Khorramabad.,
Abstract :
Etiology of Divorce Based on the Lived Experience of Divorced Couples
(Case Study: Khorramabad City)
Karamollah Javanmard*
The family, as the most important institution in human social history, has been involved in serious issues in the recent time of human social life. Meanwhile, divorce is a phenomenon that is definitely included in the definition of the country five major social problems. The aim of the current research was to qualitatively study men's and women's experience of divorce in Khorram Abad city, apply qualitative methodology and using the grounded theory method. For this purpose, 30 divorced men and women from Khorram Abad city were selected by purposeful sampling method and snowball strategy. Data has been collected using in-depth and semi-structured interviews. The interviews were analyzed in three stages: open coding, central coding, and selective coding, and from this process, the following codes were extracted: ambitious rational divorce, effective rational divorce, consensual rational divorce, passive rational divorce, accelerated irrational divorce. and forced, consequences after divorce, failure and financial collapse, not having a job during divorce, social label, social isolation, social rejection, being accused, being a sexual object, changing position, emotional and sexual needs, self-recovery, promotion social management, social isolation, homogenous associations, lack of expression of divorce, its analysis and interpretation, the last solution is the reality that has emerged, these codes are the expression of various signs arising from the structure and agency of couples for divorced people. The analyzed divorce patterns have turned divorce into a complex and multidimensional issue.
Keywords: divorce, structure and agency, contextual theory and Khorramabad.
* Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences, Hazrat Ayatollah Aozama Boroujerdi University, Boroujerd, Iran.
k.javanmard@abru.ac.ir
Etiology of Divorce Based on the Lived Experience of Divorced Couples
(Case Study: Khorramabad City)
Karamollah Javanmard*
Introduction
The family, as a pivotal institution in human social history, has grappled with various serious issues, with divorce being a prominent example. Divorce is clearly defined as a social problem and one of the five major societal harms of the country. The aim of this study was to qualitatively examine the experiences of men and women undergoing divorce in Khorramabad city, using qualitative methodology and grounded theory. The central questions of this research are: What is the process of divorce formation in Khorramabad city, and what are the experiences of the couples involved? What motives lead individuals to choose divorce? What are their experiences and perceptions of the divorce process in Khorramabad city? How do people cope with this experience, and how can a proper analysis of different types of divorce in Khorramabad city be presented based on their representations?
Methodology
This study aimed to understand and interpret divorce among couples in Khorramabad in 1402, using an interpretive paradigm and grounded theory for data analysis. This approach is used to explore how individuals interpret their experiences, construct their worlds, and perceive their situations (Afrasiabi et al., 2019: 5). The participants included 30 divorced individuals selected through purposeful sampling with the snowball method. Of these, 12 were men and 18 were women. Data collection continued until saturation was achieved. Selection criteria included having experienced divorce, being at least one year past their legal divorce, and willingness to participate in the study. Five main categories emerged from the coded data. Semi-structured and in-depth interviews were used to gather information from participants. Each interview, lasting between 45 to 90 minutes, was recorded with a cell phone after obtaining consent. The interviewer explained the research objectives and ensured confidentiality. Interviews were conducted with the assurance that recordings would be erased after the data was transcribed. Open coding, axial coding, and selective coding were used for data analysis.
Findings
Among the significant consequences of divorce are economic impacts, especially for women, as well as psychological and spiritual effects, which particularly affect women. Social and cultural consequences are widespread and impact individuals broadly. Divorce, as a solution, holds multiple meanings for the interviewees, reflecting their diverse viewpoints. Two primary perspectives emerged among the divorced individuals: a negative view and a positive view.
Conclusion
Divorce has become a prominent social issue with significant implications for policymakers. The complexity of divorce, its various types, and its multifaceted consequences challenge uniform analysis and understanding. This research reveals how divorce impacts individuals differently across social fields and habits. Key findings include: Economic consequences are significant, including lack of financial income, unemployment, responsibility for child custody, lack of independent living space, and economic stagnation. Among these, economic dynamism and progress were commonly reported by all interviewees. Social consequences, such as stigmatization, sexual objectification, and role changes, were also prevalent. Stigmatization, in particular, aligns with Goffman’s theory of stigma, which affects personal identity and social perceptions. Divorce experiences varied based on individuals' coping strategies, with some experiencing less social fallout due to their rational approach to separation and divorce.
* Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences, Hazrat Ayatollah Aozama Boroujerdi University, Boroujerd, Iran.
k.javanmard@abru.ac.ir