Social and Cultural Predicaments of Female-Headed Households Related to Charitable Institutions in Behbahan

Introduction The number of female-headed households has significantly increased worldwide. In Iran as well, these households now account for more than 14% of all families. Female heads of households are women who, due to reasons such as divorce, the death of a spouse, irresponsible husbands, or singlehood, must manage the family independently. Female household headship intensifies poverty and economic hardship, and consequently gives rise to numerous social and cultural problems. In Iran, charitable organizations help alleviate the economic challenges faced by these women. However, when women lose their spouses due to divorce or death and come under the support of charities or welfare institutions, they often encounter cultural and social difficulties. The attitudes of charity staff and the broader community—who tend to perceive them as “lonely” and “needy” women—create stigmatizing conditions both within these institutions and in their everyday social environments, sometimes altering the course of their lives altogether. This study specifically examines the social and cultural constraints experienced by women seeking assistance from charitable organizations in Behbahan. The central research question is: What types of social and cultural barriers do female-headed households encounter in institutional settings and in their daily lives? More specifically, what are the cultural and social constraints manifested within the charity institutions and extending into their broader social contexts? MethodologyThis research employs thematic analysis to identify the social and cultural constraints faced by female-headed households. A qualitative approach was adopted, using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis method (2006), including text segmentation and description, interpretation, and synthesis. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten female heads of households, most of whom were divorced, selected through purposive sampling. The study ensured interpretive validity by presenting the results to experts and scholars and modifying the thematic findings based on their feedback to ensure credibility and accuracy.FindingsThe main emerging themes included:Inferiorization – consisting of humiliating treatment, perceptions of dependency, and administrative delays.Instrumental view toward women – reflected in gendered participation spaces, the shift from public to private domains, and harassment.Deprivation through powerlessness – manifested in restrictions on administrative access and being deprived of institutional services.In their everyday lives, two additional major themes were identified:Suppressed gendered empowerment – including internalized helplessness, self-devaluation, and weak social support-seeking.Sexual stereotyping of female heads of households – involving exposure to sexual labeling and sexual exploitation.The overarching category derived from these cultural and social constraints was conceptualized as “Gendered Insecurity in the Struggle for Livelihood”. Discussion and ConclusionFemale-headed households, faced with economic hardships, often turn to charities as a means of livelihood. However, this path is burdened with socially and culturally gendered challenges, eventually leading to gender-based insecurity in their efforts to sustain themselves. A woman’s act of seeking help from a charity conveys a message to such institutions that women approach them to escape existing insecurities in society. Yet, paradoxically, these spaces often fail to provide them with genuine social safety. Respectful treatment of these women within charitable organizations can help challenge societal stigmatization. Conversely, disrespect and discrimination amplify social vulnerability and internalized stigma. Identifying these social and cultural constraints is a crucial step toward improving the interaction between support institutions and female beneficiaries. Charitable organizations, by training their staff in social awareness and gender sensitivity and reforming gendered attitudes, can significantly reduce the difficulties faced by female-headed households and promote their sense of security and dignity in the process of livelihood attainment.