Understanding the Mindset of Protesting Women Regarding the Causes and Consequences of Protest Actions: A Qualitative Study of Imprisoned Female Protesters in Yazd
IntroductionThe surge of social movements in Europe and the United States during the 1960s and 1970s, alongside the transformation of social realities and emergence of social movements as a distinct phenomenon, has prompted social scientists to explore and analyze this field. Among various social mo...
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University of Isfahan
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Strategic Research on Social Problems |
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| Online Access: | https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_29272_f12a1a4029284f45d2f353a4b02757a8.pdf |
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| author | Ali Nikmanesh Ali Ruhani Seyed Alireza Afshani Ahmad Kalateh Sadati |
| author_facet | Ali Nikmanesh Ali Ruhani Seyed Alireza Afshani Ahmad Kalateh Sadati |
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| description | IntroductionThe surge of social movements in Europe and the United States during the 1960s and 1970s, alongside the transformation of social realities and emergence of social movements as a distinct phenomenon, has prompted social scientists to explore and analyze this field. Among various social movements, the women’s movement has been a leading advocate for changing existing social structures. In recent years, Iran has developed into a "movement society" characterized by widespread social movements, with women increasingly taking on prominent roles. This trend was particularly evident during the protests of 2022. The participation of women in these protests, especially in conservative and traditionally structured cities like Yazd, holds significant research value. The experiences of women, who have been arrested or imprisoned during these protests, reveal the multifaceted and complex dimensions of their motivations, beliefs, and consequences of their actions. Imprisonment as one outcome of these protests reflects social and political pressures while also providing a context for a deeper analysis of the mindset and perceptions of protesting women. During their time in prison, these women have reassessed their beliefs, values, and future aspirations. Analyzing these experiences offers valuable insights into the underlying causes and mechanisms of this movement and the role of women within it. Therefore, this study focused on these women as the primary subjects of analysis. Materials & MethodsThis study utilized thematic analysis, a versatile qualitative research method designed to identify patterns and themes within the data. Thematic analysis facilitates summarization, organization, and interpretation of data, making it a fundamental technique in qualitative research.Data collection involved semi-structured interviews with 8 female participants, who had taken part in the 2022 protests. These participants were aged between 28 and 43 years. The inclusion criteria required direct experience in street protests and a history of receiving a prison sentence or temporary detention, underscoring their resilience and commitment to their protest identities. The interviews were conducted after the participants had been released from prison or detention centers. Given the depth and complexity of the subject matter, in-depth interviews were chosen as the most suitable qualitative research method, owing to their flexibility and capability to capture detailed narratives. To enhance the credibility of the data, the researchers established effective communication and allocated ample time for each interview, with sessions lasting approximately 2 hours. Discussion of Results & ConclusionFollowing the completion of interviews, data recording, and thematic analysis, the study identified 294 initial codes, 51 concepts, 16 primary themes, and ultimately 7 overarching themes: Belief in Women’s Activism, Persistent Challenges, Acquired Capital from Protest Action, Alternative Building amid Distrust, Protest Strategies, Political and Cultural Imperatives, and Decline of Hope in Society. These themes culminated in the study’s core concept: “Women-Centered Activism through Street Presence”. The findings indicated that this movement centered on cultural and social change had empowered women to redefine their social identities. The belief in women's empowerment and their active participation in society reflected a significant shift in societal attitudes, highlighting the need to re-evaluate and address gender inequalities while positioning women as agents of social transformation. The persistent challenges faced by women in a patriarchal society, including legal and social inequalities, had fostered a sense of solidarity and collective identity, driving resistance for social change. This phenomenon aligned with broader efforts of social movements to challenge dominant cultural norms. Widespread distrust of the political system and the demand for fundamental change had acted as powerful catalysts for organizing protests. This distrust coupled with the pursuit of new alternatives resonated with Alberto Melucci’s theory of new social movements, which posited that the gap between formal systems and civil society had contributed to the emergence of such movements. Women had employed non-violent protest methods, utilizing social media networks and cultural symbols (such as removing the hijab), which had significantly influenced both the continuity of movement and public perceptions. These creative and strategic approaches to protest had yielded substantial social and cultural outcomes. One notable achievement of this movement had been the relaxation of hijab restrictions and an enhancement of women's self-confidence, reflecting the relative success of the protests. According to Alain Touraine’s theory of new social movements, such movements reshape historical trajectories and drive major structural transformations—a perspective that aligned with the study’s findings. By adopting the characteristics of new social movements, such as emphasizing individual and collective identity and leveraging modern strategies, this movement serves as a model for future socio-political transformations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-502fa97be60240e5bed25c31a8a15657 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 3041-8623 |
| language | fas |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | University of Isfahan |
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| series | Strategic Research on Social Problems |
| spelling | doaj-art-502fa97be60240e5bed25c31a8a156572025-08-20T03:01:30ZfasUniversity of IsfahanStrategic Research on Social Problems3041-86232024-12-0113414316410.22108/srspi.2025.144402.208729272Understanding the Mindset of Protesting Women Regarding the Causes and Consequences of Protest Actions: A Qualitative Study of Imprisoned Female Protesters in YazdAli Nikmanesh0Ali Ruhani1Seyed Alireza Afshani2Ahmad Kalateh Sadati3Ph.D. candidate in Sociology of Social Problems of Iran, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Yazd, Yazd, IranAssociate professor of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Yazd, Yazd, IranProfessor of Sociology, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Yazd, Yazd, IranAssociate professor of sociology at Yazd University, Yazd, Iran.IntroductionThe surge of social movements in Europe and the United States during the 1960s and 1970s, alongside the transformation of social realities and emergence of social movements as a distinct phenomenon, has prompted social scientists to explore and analyze this field. Among various social movements, the women’s movement has been a leading advocate for changing existing social structures. In recent years, Iran has developed into a "movement society" characterized by widespread social movements, with women increasingly taking on prominent roles. This trend was particularly evident during the protests of 2022. The participation of women in these protests, especially in conservative and traditionally structured cities like Yazd, holds significant research value. The experiences of women, who have been arrested or imprisoned during these protests, reveal the multifaceted and complex dimensions of their motivations, beliefs, and consequences of their actions. Imprisonment as one outcome of these protests reflects social and political pressures while also providing a context for a deeper analysis of the mindset and perceptions of protesting women. During their time in prison, these women have reassessed their beliefs, values, and future aspirations. Analyzing these experiences offers valuable insights into the underlying causes and mechanisms of this movement and the role of women within it. Therefore, this study focused on these women as the primary subjects of analysis. Materials & MethodsThis study utilized thematic analysis, a versatile qualitative research method designed to identify patterns and themes within the data. Thematic analysis facilitates summarization, organization, and interpretation of data, making it a fundamental technique in qualitative research.Data collection involved semi-structured interviews with 8 female participants, who had taken part in the 2022 protests. These participants were aged between 28 and 43 years. The inclusion criteria required direct experience in street protests and a history of receiving a prison sentence or temporary detention, underscoring their resilience and commitment to their protest identities. The interviews were conducted after the participants had been released from prison or detention centers. Given the depth and complexity of the subject matter, in-depth interviews were chosen as the most suitable qualitative research method, owing to their flexibility and capability to capture detailed narratives. To enhance the credibility of the data, the researchers established effective communication and allocated ample time for each interview, with sessions lasting approximately 2 hours. Discussion of Results & ConclusionFollowing the completion of interviews, data recording, and thematic analysis, the study identified 294 initial codes, 51 concepts, 16 primary themes, and ultimately 7 overarching themes: Belief in Women’s Activism, Persistent Challenges, Acquired Capital from Protest Action, Alternative Building amid Distrust, Protest Strategies, Political and Cultural Imperatives, and Decline of Hope in Society. These themes culminated in the study’s core concept: “Women-Centered Activism through Street Presence”. The findings indicated that this movement centered on cultural and social change had empowered women to redefine their social identities. The belief in women's empowerment and their active participation in society reflected a significant shift in societal attitudes, highlighting the need to re-evaluate and address gender inequalities while positioning women as agents of social transformation. The persistent challenges faced by women in a patriarchal society, including legal and social inequalities, had fostered a sense of solidarity and collective identity, driving resistance for social change. This phenomenon aligned with broader efforts of social movements to challenge dominant cultural norms. Widespread distrust of the political system and the demand for fundamental change had acted as powerful catalysts for organizing protests. This distrust coupled with the pursuit of new alternatives resonated with Alberto Melucci’s theory of new social movements, which posited that the gap between formal systems and civil society had contributed to the emergence of such movements. Women had employed non-violent protest methods, utilizing social media networks and cultural symbols (such as removing the hijab), which had significantly influenced both the continuity of movement and public perceptions. These creative and strategic approaches to protest had yielded substantial social and cultural outcomes. One notable achievement of this movement had been the relaxation of hijab restrictions and an enhancement of women's self-confidence, reflecting the relative success of the protests. According to Alain Touraine’s theory of new social movements, such movements reshape historical trajectories and drive major structural transformations—a perspective that aligned with the study’s findings. By adopting the characteristics of new social movements, such as emphasizing individual and collective identity and leveraging modern strategies, this movement serves as a model for future socio-political transformations.https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_29272_f12a1a4029284f45d2f353a4b02757a8.pdfwomenprotestsocial movementspolitical opportunity structureyazd |
| spellingShingle | Ali Nikmanesh Ali Ruhani Seyed Alireza Afshani Ahmad Kalateh Sadati Understanding the Mindset of Protesting Women Regarding the Causes and Consequences of Protest Actions: A Qualitative Study of Imprisoned Female Protesters in Yazd Strategic Research on Social Problems women protest social movements political opportunity structure yazd |
| title | Understanding the Mindset of Protesting Women Regarding the Causes and Consequences of Protest Actions: A Qualitative Study of Imprisoned Female Protesters in Yazd |
| title_full | Understanding the Mindset of Protesting Women Regarding the Causes and Consequences of Protest Actions: A Qualitative Study of Imprisoned Female Protesters in Yazd |
| title_fullStr | Understanding the Mindset of Protesting Women Regarding the Causes and Consequences of Protest Actions: A Qualitative Study of Imprisoned Female Protesters in Yazd |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding the Mindset of Protesting Women Regarding the Causes and Consequences of Protest Actions: A Qualitative Study of Imprisoned Female Protesters in Yazd |
| title_short | Understanding the Mindset of Protesting Women Regarding the Causes and Consequences of Protest Actions: A Qualitative Study of Imprisoned Female Protesters in Yazd |
| title_sort | understanding the mindset of protesting women regarding the causes and consequences of protest actions a qualitative study of imprisoned female protesters in yazd |
| topic | women protest social movements political opportunity structure yazd |
| url | https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_29272_f12a1a4029284f45d2f353a4b02757a8.pdf |
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