Iranian Journal of Sociology

Abstract This study examines the Kurds’ collective memory in Boukan. The concept of collective memory is a new realm of sociological investigation, especially among studies of Iran’s social groups. The most important historical points in collective memory of Kurds and the way they regarded them as important, is the main problem of this study. We asked three most important events of Iran s’ history from 9 decades ago. Theoretical framework of study is Maurice Halbwachs’ theory of collective memory. The respondents’ attitudes toward their identities in four aspects are independents variables. Using survey method and upon cluster sampling, the questionnaire has been responded by 342 people. According to the respondents; The Islamic Revolution of 1979, the Mahabad State of 1945, the Oil Nationalization, the Imposed War and Iran’s presidential election of 2009, are the prominent events. Kruskal Wallis test shows significant difference relationships between age and attitude toward religious identity with first important events; the age and education with second important events; the education and attitude toward national identity for the third important events. The main reasons mentioned by respondents to justify importance of Islamic Revolution is religious one, building a state for Mahabad State of 1945, the trauma and damage for war, preserving national benefits for Oil Nationalization Movement and protest for the Iran’s presidential election.

Abstract Despitean increased awareness ofwomen andtheir accesstocontraceptive devices, there are still womenwhodo not usethesedevices. Not usingcontraception is followed by unplannedpregnanciesand a likely abortion wouldaffect maternal and childhealth. The aimofthis paper isto investigate the prevalenceofcontraceptionamongmarriedKurdish women 15-49years old,in the city ofMahabad. Data are taken from Mahabad Fertility Survey (MFS) conducted on a sample of over 700 households in April of 2012. The resultsshow a widespreaduse ofcontraception among population under the study, to the effect that74.3percent ofwomenwere usingcontraception at the time of survey. Based on thisstudy,the share of modern and traditional methods ofcontraceptive useis 71.2 and 28.8 percent respectively. The results of discriminantanalysis showed that factors such as costs associated with socio-cultural oppositions and the number of surviving children have the most effect on women’s use of contraception. Women's autonomy andtheir attitudes towardsthe costs andbenefitsofchildren are among determinant cultural variables in this respect. The research findings indicate that reducing perceived costs of contraception, improving women's knowledgeaboutmodernmethods ofcontraception, and establishing legitimacy for social/cultural use of these devices play an important rolein implementingthe use ofcontraceptionandthe promotion of maternal and childhealth.

Abstract This study examines the Kurds’ collective memory in Boukan. The concept of collective memory is a new realm of sociological investigation, especially among studies of Iran’s social groups. The most important historical points in collective memory of Kurds and the way they regarded them as important, is the main problem of this study.  We asked three most important events of Iran s’ history from 9 decades ago. Theoretical framework of study is Maurice Halbwachs’ theory of collective memory. The respondents’ attitudes toward their identities in four aspects are independents variables. Using survey method and upon cluster sampling, the questionnaire has been responded by 342 people. According to the respondents; The Islamic Revolution of 1979, the Mahabad State of 1945, the Oil Nationalization, the Imposed War and Iran’s presidential election of 2009, are the prominent events. Kruskal Wallis test shows significant difference relationships between age and attitude toward religious identity with first important events; the age and education with second important events; the education and attitude toward national identity for the third important events. The main reasons mentioned by respondents to justify importance of Islamic Revolution is religious one, building a state for Mahabad State of 1945, the trauma and damage for war, preserving national benefits for Oil Nationalization Movement and protest for the Iran’s presidential election.