generational changes of child value and childbearing behavior of women before and after islamic revolution (case study: zanjan city)

this article investigates generational changes of child value and childbearing behavior among women before and after islamic revolution of iran. different generations of iranian women, based on their shared common life experiences, have various and sometimes contrasting attitudes and perceptions towards the meaning and concept of child and childbearing. this research is cross-sectional and survey-based and the data are collected using questionnaire. research population included five generations of zanjani women. the 500 woman- sample consisted of 100 women from each generation. two-stage sampling, based on pps method, was used in this research. . findings showed that the mean score value differences for child and childbearing among studied generations is statistically significant. the lowest rate of child value was related to women between 1992 and 1995 and the highest rate belonged to women before 1963. there was a reverse and negative relationship between individualism and childbearing. a positive and direct relationship is observed between religiosity and childbearing. the effect of globalization on child value among generation of 1979-1988 is stronger than other generations. based on different historical and biological experiences and awareness of each generation as well as generational and structural conflict, changes in childbearing behavior can be explained; i.e., uneven and unequal distribution of opportunities, resources, and facilities among generations can be explained. accordingly, generational changes of child value both historically and mentally as well as structurally and objectively can be explained. women's experiences in terms of globalization in addition to their awareness and expectations improvement as well as changes in their roles and positions after islamic revolution in iran have affected their perceptions and evaluations of child and childbearing value.