M. Hojat et al., Gender differences in traditional attitudes toward marriage and the family- An empirical study of Iranian immigrants in the United States, J FAM ISS, 21(4), 2000, pp. 419-434
This study compares Iranian male and female immigrants in the United States
on their attitudes toward marriage and the family. Participants were 160 I
ranians in the United States. A 10-item attitude scale measured the degree
of traditional attitudes (a stand taken in the prevalent Iranian culture as
opposed to that in the mainstream American society) toward premarital sex,
marriage, and the family. Results showed Iranian men scored significantly
higher than Iranian women on the traditional attitude scale (p < .05, effec
t size estimate = .39). Gender difference remained significant after adjust
ing for participants' age. The attitudinal disparity between Iranian male a
nd female immigrants observed in this study can provide an explanation for
a high rate of marital dissolution among Iranians in the United States. Fin
dings can also help in understanding some underlying issues that contribute
to intra- and interpersonal tension among the immigrants with implications
in marital and family therapy.