نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
عنوان مقاله English
نویسندگان English
Female heads of households in the informal settlements of Altimor, Mashhad, are positioned at the center of a profound role duality: they are compelled to simultaneously bear the direct responsibilities of livelihood and motherhood; however, a substantial portion of their hardships remains hidden and invisible. This qualitative study, employing a phenomenological approach and purposeful sampling, based on in-depth interviews with 26 selected women (diverse in duration of household headship, economic status, and aged between 30 and 69 years), uncovers the unknown layers of role conflict and their everyday living conditions. The findings reveal that the invisible burden arising from the simultaneous onslaught of psychological, social, and cultural pressures, alongside the absence of institutional support and prevailing social norms, exacerbates role conflict and generates novel dimensions of despair and psychological erosion. The ongoing experience of anxiety, feelings of isolation, and cultural limitations fundamentally affect these women's quality of life; nevertheless, their resilience and persistence despite all constraints are remarkable. The research highlights the urgent need for the development and implementation of multidimensional support and empowerment policies for female heads of households.
کلیدواژهها English
