Meaning Reconstruction of Young Men's Gender Orientation toward Young Women (A Grounded Theory Study)

Gender orientation of young men toward young women is an essential part of the leisure time activities, and a contributing factor in the process of gender identity formation. Using a social interpretive approach, this study examines gender orientation of male high school students toward female in the city of Shiraz. Qualitative data, on the basis of an ethnographic fieldwork, collected through participant (or direct) observation and in-depth interview techniques. Using purposive, qualitative sampling strategy, 20 high school students from the city of Shiraz and in keeping with theoretical saturation criterion selected for the study. Grounded theory methodology was employed in data analysis procedure as well as in producing a data-based theory. Through the process of data analysis, following five main categories emerged from axial coding process: Reflexivity, Involvement of Mind, Normative Constrain of Peer Group, Instrumental Relationship, and Unstable Interaction. The core category extracted during selective coding process was taken to be "Reflexive Gender Orientation", which integrates and captures all main categories. The results have been presented in a paradigm model consisting of conditions, interactions and consequences around the core category.