A Qualitative Study on Globalization and Family Change in Zanjan

Globalization is a multidimensional phenomenon in which all of its component could influence the family. Today, family is subject to change more than the past. The present study is aimed at finding how citizens of the Iranian city of Zanjan interpret the family change influenced by the globalization. The data was collected qualitatively using a social interpretive approach and the ethnographic methodology of the study was conducted via in-depth interview methods centered on a purposeful sampling comprising members of 35 families in Zanjan. The aforesaid data was then analyzed by using a thematic analysis. The results revealed that globalization leaves dual consequences on the structure and function of the family, and people treat the global elements differently. Zanjan’s families, are also affected by these changes, although to a lesser extent. Meanwhile, communication technologies cushion the development of changes. Therefore, globalization is not only an external force affecting us but also enjoys a relationship with us, and this interaction is different in societies based on the historical and socio-economic background as well as the cultural values of every community. Accordingly, Zanjan’s families, by opposing globalization, experience Iranian-Western changes which are different from family changes in other effective communities.