At the Crossroad of Decision to Have Children: An Analysis of Individual and Social Childbearing Challenges in the Context of Low Fertility in Isfahan

Introduction In low fertility settings, couple's decision to have children is usually a planned and complex decision that the couple makes based on consideration of their individual and family life on the one hand and considering the social and economic conditions of society on the other hand. Child-bearing is an individual action at the private or micro level. In fact, future-oriented decisions are associated with the decision-making process of whether or not to have a child. However, in recent years, this issue has been at the center of concerns at the societal levels. This study aimed to provide a deep understanding of decision-making processes and childbearing behaviors. Isfahan City as one of the low fertility contexts in Iran was an ideal research field for the present study. Recent estimates made by the Statistical Center of Iran showed that the total fertility rate of Isfahan Province in 2020 ranged between 1.3 and 1.5. It was expected that this figure for the city of Isfahan was even well below that of the provincial estimate. The sample of the present study included the single and married people of child-bearing ages, who were considered influential actors in childbearing. Materials & Methods The present paper employed an inductive qualitative method by using the Grounded Theory (GT) approach. The data was collected from 30 single and married men and women of childbearing ages by using in-depth interviews. The respondents were selected based on the gradual sampling strategies, which were mostly based on theoretical (theory-based) sampling, snowball sampling, and sampling with maximum variety. Lincoln and Guba's (1985) criteria were used to achieve the validity. First, a member check was applied so that after analyzing the findings, concepts, and categories, some participants were asked to evaluate and express their views on the accuracy of the findings. Second, control was exercised by the scientific and expert counterparts on the subject. Third, data analysis and coding were performed by open, axial, and selective coding methods using Maxqda 2020 software package. Discussion of Results & ConclusionBased on our analysis and coding, 20 main categories were extracted from the data. The central category in this study was "value modification from parenting". The results generally reflected the fact that economic fears, futurism, social responsibility, and accumulated concerns engaged families in rational decision-making. Economic fears, job insecurity, and fragility of economic parameters, sick and unstable economy, and economic hardships that families faced were the key factors in creating doubts about childbearing among couples. The participants considered the decision of whether to have or not to have children. It was a responsible and informed decision that a couple could make and would thus bring requirements and obligations for them. These calculations not only led to a variety of strategies in the Iranian families, including delay in childbearing, preference for remaining childless or intending to be a single-child family, and desiring and planning for migration to another country, but also caused them to undergo a kind of metamorphosis and value shift regarding parenting and childbearing. Consequently, children lost their former status and was replaced by other values. The findings of this study are in line with the risk aversion theory, as well as some other theoretical models that emphasize the effects of economic security and social support on fertility intentions and behaviors. The results also has policy implications for rising fertility levels. The success of the recent pronatalist population policy depends upon a realistic understanding of the couple's childbearing desires, as well as challenges and strategic plans to facilitate their reproductive ideals and intentions. Conducting research with mixed methods in the future, which combines both the quantitative and qualitative elements of research, can enhance understanding of fertility intentions and preferences