Role of family in women's participation at administrative positions in Iranian universities

Abstract

Despite much research on the factors effecting over women's participation in administrative positions, little is known about the factors affecting from Iranian higher education, in particular, the role of family that hinder or sustain women's progression in administrative positions. The aim of study is fully understand the role of family behaviors perceived as being supportive behaviors for women in administrative positions. The main question of study was how women overcome family-work tensions. The qualitative research was designed through in-depth interview of 20 administrator's women in Iranian universities. The findings of the inductive thematic analysis introduce four themes as: (a) emotional support (b) esteem support (c) helping with the household (d) husband's career and choose lifestyle. This article concludes by contextualizing and discussing of themes emerged from data, limitations, implications, and recommendations.