Motivations of Childbearing Among Iranian Working Mothers With Two or More Children: A Qualitative Study

Iran, like many other countries, faces declining population growth and concerns about aging. Rising female participation in higher education and the labor market has positioned education and employment as factors that may conflict with childbearing. Most studies on fertility motivations have focused on childless individuals or one-child families, while little attention has been given to larger families. This study aimed to explore the motivations of childbearing among Iranian working mothers with two or more children.

This qualitative content analysis was conducted among 27 working mothers affiliated with Kerman University of Medical Sciences, in southeastern Iran. Participants were selected through purposive sampling with maximum variation. Inclusion criteria required participants to be married for ≥ 5 years, have ≥ 2 biological children, and express intent for further childbearing. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews and Guba and Lincoln's criteria were applied to increase the trustworthiness and rigor of the study. Data were analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman's method and MAXQDA 2020.

The motivations of working women with two children in childbearing are comprehensive, and four main themes emerged from the responses: (1) positive reproductive memories and support, (2) concerns about single-child outcomes, (3) personal and religious beliefs, and (4) demographic concerns and pronatalist influences.

Fertility intentions among working women in Iran are shaped by emotionally embedded and culturally situated factors. Understanding these motivations is essential for designing responsive and targeted population policies. The findings support the need for mixed-method research to deepen theoretical insight and enhance generalizability across regions and contexts.