Societal Aspiration vs. Institutionalized Socialization on FLFP : Gender Dilemma in Iran from Demographic Perspective

Yaghoob Foroutan, University Of Mazandaran

This paper presents a typical case study associated with gender dynamics with specific reference to female labour force participation (FLFP) from a demographic perspective. It provides research-based evidence to explore empirically and comparatively the standings of authorities and society in this regard from demographic perspective. The field of this study is Iran that has not only experienced substantial socio-cultural and demographic changes in recent decades but is also increasingly witnessing significant changes in gender dynamics in current time. In order to approach properly key goal of this paper outlined above, it deliberately pays central attention to crucially important and sensitive issue of gender dynamics and women’s status with particular attention to FLFP. The discussions and results presented in this paper contrast the perspectives of state and society on this critical issue to demonstrate how they are officially presented and expected by the authorities on the one hand, and how they are socially perceived and exercised by individuals in the society on the other hand. The research findings presented and discussed in this paper shed further lights on the existing knowledge and contemporary literature about patterns and determinants associated with gender dynamics with particular reference to FLFP from a demographic perspective.

Keywords: Gender Dynamics, Economic Demography, Human Capital, Education, and Work, Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination

See extended abstract.