More Iranian Men Are Leaving Their Families Due to Economic Problems

The head of the Iranian Social Workers Association states that among the middle class, the number of men leaving their families due to poverty and inability to provide for them has increased. Hassan Mousavi Chelek said on Saturday, October 20, to the Didban Iran website that dissatisfaction stemming from the inability to meet living expenses and feelings of inadequacy have led to men abandoning their families and an increase in crime rates among the middle class. He also warned that in conditions of inability, family members might neglect their healthcare services and added, 'On the other hand, this situation may also affect their social relationships and mental health.' The head of the Social Workers Association pointed out that the seventh development plan anticipates that by the end of the year 1407 (2028), the fertility rate will reach 2.5, stating, 'Given these economic pressures and the current situation, achieving this increase in the fertility rate is not conceivable.' Mr. Mousavi also mentioned the experience of married individuals living with their parents, saying, 'While the number of these individuals may not be large, some evidence suggests that our society is currently experiencing this style of cohabitation, which is not a good sign for the management of the country, especially social management.' According to Mr. Mousavi, one of the influential factors in the increase of crime and social harms is poverty, and from this perspective, the rise in poverty and inability to meet various living costs may increase deviant paths and crimes among family members or even illegal behaviors among individuals under 18. The rise in living costs and inability to secure housing has created economic pressure on the middle class and reduced young people's access to housing. In July of this year, Abolqasem Hosseini Abhari, head of the Marriage and Divorce Notaries Association, also announced an increase in divorce rates and a decrease in marriages in Iran, stating, 'For every five marriages in Iran, two divorces are registered.'