Traditon, Modernization and Family (A Mixed Method Study of Family Changes among Mangor and Gaverk Tribes of Mahabad Township)

Over the few last decades, the Iranian Kurdish society, including Family and Kinship systems, has experienced enormous changes and developments. Therefore, it is important to examine the leading mechanisms and possible consequences of modernization as well as the people’s understanding and interpreting towards the family and kinship changes. This paper seeks to make use of the mixed method study of the family changes in Iranian Kurdistan; Case Study of Mangor and Gaverk tribes residing in Mahabad township located in West Azerbaijan Province. These tribes have been deeply influenced by modernization programs during last decades. In this study, the mixed method research was employed as one of the most important contemporary methodology in social sciences. The Concurrent–Triangulation design has been used as practical procedure of mixed methods study. Based on mixed method sampling, 586 samples selected in Quantitative part and 20 participants were interviewed for Qualitative inquiry. Data were collected both by Questionnaires and In-depth Interview and Participant observations. Hence, the quantitative data analyzed by Sp.ss software and qualitative data interpreted by Grounded Theory procedures. Finally, the Quan–Qual data have been combined and discussed in conclusion. The mixed findings and results demonstrated that the family and kinship among Mangor and Gaverk tribes have been widely changed and challenged by modernization programs both in structural and interpretive aspects. The quantitative findings showed that urbanization, modern education and mass media have contributed to the emergence of a new form of family and kinship life. In addition, while supporting quantitative findings, the qualitative results reveal that the People being studied are aware of and sensitive to sources, process and effects of modernization on their family and kinship life; they also reflexively interpret and discuss the new family and kinship circumstances.