Sociological Analysis of Social Welfare Policies in Empowering Children and Adolescents Under Welfare Supervision
Keywords:
Empowerment, social policies, children, adolescents, under the supervision of welfareAbstract
The present study aimed to provide a sociological analysis of the social welfare policies of the Iranian Welfare Organization in empowering children and adolescents under welfare supervision and to identify the underlying factors, conditions, strategies, and outcomes influencing this process. This study employed a qualitative approach using Grounded Theory methodology. The research population consisted of employees of the Iranian Welfare Organization during 2020–2022. Participants were selected through purposive sampling based on theoretical saturation, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 welfare staff members. Data were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding procedures following the Strauss and Corbin paradigm model. The findings revealed a six-dimensional model of empowerment for children and adolescents under welfare supervision. Social and individual factors emerged as causal conditions; empowerment was identified as the core category; individual and occupational status constituted contextual conditions; community laws, regulations, and social bias functioned as intervening conditions; education and socio-economic activities represented strategic actions; and psychological and social consequences were identified as outcomes. The results demonstrated that the interaction of these dimensions facilitates self-confidence, social participation, career guidance, life-skills development, and readiness for independent living, thereby playing a decisive role in the effectiveness of welfare social policies. The empowerment of children and adolescents under welfare supervision is a multidimensional phenomenon shaped by individual, social, organizational, and structural factors. The effectiveness of welfare policies increases when educational programs, social support systems, economic opportunities, and positive societal attitudes are implemented in an integrated and systematic manner. The proposed model may serve as a useful framework for developing assessment instruments, intervention programs, and future policy initiatives aimed at improving the empowerment of vulnerable children and adolescents.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Shahnaz Ghaderi (Author); Hossain Aghajani Marsa; Mehrdad Navabakhsh (Author)
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