New researches in Islamic humanities studies

New researches in Islamic humanities studies

Developing a Model of Women's Resistance Strategies against Gender Inequality within the Family, A Case Study of Female Students at the Islamic Azad University, Shiraz Branch

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Zahra Shayesteh 1
Alireza Khodami 1
Jalil Azizi 1
Ebrahim Beiraghipanah 2
1 Department of Sociology, Ja.C., Islamic Azad University, Fars, Iran
2 Department of Business Administration, Shi.C., Islamic Azad University, Fars, Iran
10.22034/api.2026.2086858.1685
Abstract
Objective: This study aims to examine the resistance strategies employed by female students at the Islamic Azad University, Shiraz Branch, in confronting gender inequalities within the family. It seeks to identify and analyze the ways in which these students respond to and cope with such inequalities.
Method: The research was conducted using a qualitative approach based on Grounded Theory (Strauss and Corbin’s six‑step model). The study participants consisted of 15 female students who had experienced gender inequality within their families. Data were collected through semi‑structured interviews and analyzed using the three stages of coding: open, axial, and selective. In total, 22 open codes (subcategories) and several axial categories were extracted.
Results: The results indicate that women employ a range of resistance strategies when facing gender inequalities, categorized into 13 main themes: demonstrating compliance, protesting discrimination, challenging gender stereotypes, utilizing social support, selective distancing from the family, concealing information in family interactions, overt resistance to gender discrimination, overt violence strategies, empowerment, suicidal mechanisms, exiting the environment, experiencing unfair treatment, and lack of financial support. The core category emerging from the data was identified as “escaping patriarchal domination.”.
Conclusions: The findings reveal that female students are not passive in the face of gender‑based discrimination within the family; instead, they actively adopt various resistance strategies to confront and manage these inequalities. The results of this study can serve as a theoretical and practical foundation for developing supportive policies and programs aimed at enhancing awareness and empowering young women in dealing with familial and social gender inequalities.
Keywords
Gender Inequality, Resistance, Grounded Theory, Family, Women&‌rsquo
s Empowerment
Subjects
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New researches in Islamic humanities studies
Volume 4, Issue 8 - Serial Number 8
December 2025
Pages 1-21