Analyzing the Opinion of the Elites in the Field of Population Policies in the City of Yazd: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: Due to the lack and the continuation of low fertility in past decades, it is necessary to review the population policies of the country. In formulating or revising demographic policies, taking effective and timely measures to facilitate the process of marriage and family formation and encouraging young couples to have children is an important and unavoidable necessity in the current conditions of society. The purpose of the current research is to discover and analyze this issue in Yazd province, based on the opinion of elites and policy makers related to the issue. Methods: This study was conducted using qualitative and grounded theory methods in 2014 in the city of Yazd. The participants in the research were 18 health officials and academic elites from the province. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview tool. Data analysis was conducted using both theoretical and free coding methods as well as central and selective coding techniques. Results: The results showed that while the decision to have children is influenced by social and cultural contexts, it is primarily influenced by social policies.  57 sub-categories and 20 main sub-categories were extracted The themes of the research included rethinking marriage, postponing childbearing, the dangerous world of childlessness, dynamic policy making, family and child support policies. Also, the core category, the vacuum of dynamic, and efficient policy were calculated Conclusion: The results of the research show that the issue of having children is related to other needs and necessities of the family, such as taking care of children and the economic needs of the family. For this reason, policymakers should support programs that help families in this field and bring some kind of psychological comfort to the family.