Sociological Factors Effective in Women's Civic Participation

With respect to the importance of civic participation as the main index of social development, this research aims at studying the rate of female civic participation, and its categories, according to the conceptual apparatus of Putnam. The research was carried out by means of a survey, using a questionnaire; during which 370 women, aged 18 to 45 years old, from Aleshtar, were interviewed. Findings show that the average rate of civic participation among women was equivalent to 59.2%, which, on a scale of 0 to 100, was evaluated as intermediate. Among the categories of civic participation, religious activities were ranked most prominent, with institutional (associational) activities being least popular. Multiple regression analysis, shows that women’s civic participation is based on the intensity of relationship, which is interconnected with variables such as the amount of available resources, scope of social relations, social efficacy, marriage status and age.The above variables explain a 54% overall change in women’s civic participation. At the conclusion of this study, implications of the findings in the field of future studies and cultural and social policy making, have been discussed.