Demanding is considered to be one of the most important skills of humanity in the modern era in order to realize rights, especially citizenship rights. But this issue often seems unfamiliar to the citizens, and in practice, demands, especially of the effective type, have been placed in parentheses. Therefore, the current research was conducted with the aim of knowing the weakening conditions of demand in Yazd city. In order to achieve this goal, qualitative approach and grounded theory method were used. The data were collected and at the same time analyzed using in-depth interviews with 13 Yazidi women. The process of data collection has continued until reaching theoretical saturation. 20 main categories were created during three stages of open, central and selective coding. The braids show the central phenomenon of "devaluation of demanding" in the sense of finding demand useless in the realization of demands. Based on the results, it can be said that a series of individual, structural conditions and factors based on direct and indirect negative experiences of demanding/answering has led to the devaluation of demanding. In the face of the central phenomenon, three main strategies of cautious-reflexive demanding, boycotting demanding and striving for demanding have been used by the activists. Finally, the consequences of such strategies have included various social, economic, and psychological fields and have fueled the failure in effective demanding and the reduction of demanding.

Extended Abstract

1. Introduction

In the contemporary era, demanding—as a civic behavior aimed at achieving and protecting citizens’ rights—has gained increasing significance as a measure of democratic vitality and social development. In Iran, however, the practice of active civic demanding remains fragile. Despite the inclusion of citizenship rights in constitutional and policy frameworks, persistent authoritarian tendencies, legal ambiguities, and socio-cultural conservatism have limited the realization of these rights. Yazd, as a traditionally religious and patriarchal city, presents a particularly illustrative case. While women have gained higher education and awareness of their social roles, they continue to encounter gendered restrictions in exercising their rights and voicing demands. Recent social movements, notably the 2022 “Women, Life, Freedom” protests, underscore both growing female awareness and the systemic constraints that inhibit active participation. Against this backdrop, the present study addresses a central question: Under what conditions is women’s civic demanding weakened or suppressed in Yazd? The study fills a significant research gap. Prior works have examined citizenship awareness and participation quantitatively, but few have qualitatively analyzed the lived experiences of women confronting the erosion of their civic voice. This research, therefore, contributes an interpretive, grounded understanding of how social, cultural, and political forces shape women’s engagement in civic demanding.

2. Methodology

Adopting a qualitative grounded theory approach, the study seeks to uncover the social processes underlying the weakening of women’s civic demanding. Data were collected in Yazd through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 13 women aged 19–48, representing diverse educational, occupational, and marital backgrounds. Sampling followed the theoretical and maximum variation strategies to capture heterogeneous experiences across generations. Data collection and analysis proceeded simultaneously until theoretical saturation was achieved. Using open, axial, and selective coding in MAXQDA software, 20 main categories were extracted. To ensure validity and reliability, Lincoln and Guba’s four criteria—credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability—were applied. Ethical considerations were strictly followed, including informed consent, anonymity, and secure data handling.

3. Findings

Analysis revealed a central phenomenon of “devaluation of demanding”—a pervasive belief that demanding rights is ineffective, costly, or socially inappropriate. This process is sustained by three layers of conditions:

Causal Conditions: Lack of legal awareness, unresponsiveness of authorities, and fear of material or non-material repercussions discourage individuals from voicing demands.

Contextual Conditions: Deep emotional attachments to family and community, lack of self-confidence, and fear of social judgment (“others as judges”) lead to internalized passivity.

Intervening Conditions: Cultural and religious socialization, patriarchal parenting, and dominance of obedience-oriented gender norms restrict assertiveness, particularly among women.

Additionally, socio-economic pressures (economic insecurity, consumerism) and political-cultural barriers (media censorship, surveillance, normalization of silence) exacerbate this trend. Collectively, these forces transform demanding into a stigmatized, risky, and often futile act. In reaction to these constraints, women adopt three strategic responses: 1) Cautious-reflexive demanding – moderated and context-aware advocacy, avoiding overt confrontation.2) Boycotting demanding – withdrawal from public or institutional engagement after repeated failures. 3) Striving for demanding – continued pursuit of rights despite systemic obstacles, often driven by moral duty or social commitment.

4. Conclusion

The study illustrates how the erosion of civic demanding among women in Yazd reflects broader dynamics of authoritarian culture, patriarchal norms, and weak institutional responsiveness. These forces collectively generate a psychological and cultural environment in which silence is valorized and resistance is penalized. The findings resonate with theories of recognition (Honneth) and liberal feminism, emphasizing the moral and structural barriers to women’s participation in public life. The “devaluation of demanding” is not merely an individual attitude but a socially reproduced phenomenon embedded in familial upbringing, educational systems, and political institutions. As a result, civic engagement becomes fragmented, and collective voice is replaced by isolated, symbolic gestures. Policy implications point toward the necessity of developing gender-sensitive citizenship education, strengthening institutional accountability, and promoting participatory mechanisms that encourage women’s public expression without fear of retaliation. Creating safe spaces for deliberation and legal literacy initiatives can further counteract the normalization of passivity and restore trust in the effectiveness of civic action. Women’s experiences in Yazd reveal a complex interplay between personal agency and structural constraints. The weakening of demanding behavior is less a reflection of apathy and more a symptom of systemic disempowerment. By highlighting the socio-cultural roots of the devaluation of demanding, this study contributes to both feminist sociology and the sociology of citizenship in Iran. Sustainable progress toward gender equity and civic empowerment depends on fostering a culture of responsiveness, legitimacy, and recognition—where demanding is once again valued as an essential democratic act.