A STUDY OF THE FACTORS AFFECTING THE GROWING PRESENCE OF GIRLS IN IRANIAN UNIVERSITIES FOR CONTINUING THEIR HIGHER EDUCATION: A REVIEW

Introduction: Since during the few past decades we have been witness to the unprecedented increase in the presence of girls in Iranian universities for continuing their higher education, the current study seeks to study this issue through literature review. Materials and Methods: This study has been conducted in the form of a simple literature review. Research data are collected via searching the published papers in trusted Iranian and Foreign websites based on the following key words “girls, continuing education, university and Iran”. Findings: Generally speaking, the factors affecting the increase of the presence of girls in Iranian universities for continuing their education can be sought for in the following elements: economic motives (getting a job, acquiring financial independence, skill and economic vision acquisition), political motives (further participation in political affairs, having the ability to comment upon political affairs, acquiring vital and sensitive positions), acquiring superior social status (acquiring higher scientific degrees, more popularity, nobler stature, better social position and credit, inclination toward marriage (interest in student marriage, having more freedom to choose their favorite husband, having more options to choose the husband, enhancement of the consciousness for choosing the husband), university campus attractions (lesser family supervision, being away from the hometown, acquiring new experiences in life, promoting one’s social communications and relations, enhancement of one’s self-trust), knowledge acquisition (uprooting illiteracy, promotion of one’s knowledge, profession and scientific skill acquisition, interest). Discussion and Conclusion: The growing number of educated girls could possibly give rise to new economic, social, cultural and political movements and this needs to be taken into earnest consideration in national policy making. Key Words: Girls, Continuing Education, Universities, Iran