Social Problems of Iran

A Qualitative Study of Feelings of Social Exclusion among the Marginal Residents of Tehran (Case Study: Morteza Gerd Neighborhood)

Authors

Nasrin Saki 1
Hossein Dehghan 2
Faizollah Nouroozi 2

1 PhD Student in Economics Sociology and Development, Faculty of Humanities, Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran

2 Assistant Professor of Sociology, Faculty of Humanities, Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.61882/jspi.16.4.51
Abstract
Abstract

Social exclusion is a broad concept in the fields of social sciences and social policy, occurring when individuals are unable to fully participate in society or engage effectively with others due to a lack of social, cultural, and civil rights. Peripheral residents on the outskirts of cities are particularly vulnerable to this phenomenon. This study aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of social exclusion among residents of a marginalized area. A qualitative approach was employed, using interviews as the primary data collection method. The participants consisted of 20 residents of the Morteza-Gerd area along the Azadegan Highway in Tehran. The study used theoretical sampling, and the collected data were analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings revealed four main themes related to the experience of social exclusion: the sense of stigma, economic inequality and low social welfare, security issues and crime, and changes in social relationships and interactions. The analysis indicated that social exclusion, combined with isolation and limited social interaction, traps individuals in a continuous cycle of poverty and relative deprivation, perpetuating feelings of marginalization, reducing self-confidence, and limiting opportunities for social participation.



Extended Abstract

Introduction

Social exclusion is a complex and multidimensional concept in the social sciences and a major concern in social policy, affecting individuals across society. However, some groups are more vulnerable due to various factors, such as low income, family stress, imprisonment, educational difficulties, belonging to ethnic minorities, living in deprived urban or rural areas, mental health challenges, age, and disability. For instance, children from low-income families are at higher risk of unemployment or incarceration, while individuals affected by family tensions face risks of homelessness and engagement in high-risk behaviors. Older adults often experience greater isolation and loneliness due to poverty, occupational discrimination, and reduced social participation. The European Union defines social exclusion as the inability of individuals to fully participate in society due to a lack of civil, political, social, and cultural rights, seeing it as the combined result of unemployment, skill deficits, inadequate housing, and broken family structures. The concept, developed since the 1970s, encompasses diverse groups including migrants, minorities, vulnerable children, and individuals with substance use issues, often overlapping with poverty. Social exclusion involves social, cultural, and moral disconnection between the individual and society, resulting in deprivation of welfare resources and opportunities. This phenomenon is sometimes invisible, manifesting primarily as internalized feelings. Poverty provides the conditions for exclusion, as lifestyle changes and the formation of a “culture of poverty” increase the likelihood of marginalization. Social stigma and shame further undermine an individual’s credibility and standing in society. The present study examines the sense of social exclusion among residents of the Morteza-Gerd marginalized neighborhood on the outskirts of Tehran, employing a relative deprivation perspective, and analyzes the role of inefficient administrative structures and social inequalities in fostering this sense of exclusion.

2.Methodology

This study employed a qualitative research design, utilizing interviews as the primary data collection method, and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Thematic analysis, through the systematic organization of dispersed data, enables the identification of key concepts and provides a comprehensive understanding of the study context. Interviews were conducted with residents of the marginalized Morteza-Gerd neighborhood on the outskirts of Tehran and continued until theoretical saturation was reached—that is, until new interviews yielded no significant additional information. In this study, theoretical saturation was achieved after interviewing twenty participants. Sampling was carried out using theoretical sampling, a form of purposive sampling that facilitates theory development and exploration of events, continuing until the categories reached saturation. The interviews included questions regarding participants’ economic conditions and social welfare, satisfaction and sense of belonging to their neighborhood, willingness to migrate, quality of relationships with other residents, interactions with the broader society, perceptions of local and broader cultural norms, and the quality of urban services and physical conditions of the neighborhood. The interview data were first coded, then organized into subcategories, and ultimately consolidated into main categories. This process involved open, axial, and selective coding, following the three-stage grounded theory methodology. To ensure research credibility, the researcher maintained close contact with participants throughout data collection and considered their feedback on the findings and interpretations to enhance the validity of the analysis. Some interviews were audio-recorded with written consent, while others were documented through simultaneous note-taking. Participants’ consent and cooperation were secured at all stages, and all data were collected and analyzed in accordance with established ethical research principles.

3. Findings

This qualitative study aimed to examine the experience of social exclusion and relative deprivation among residents of the marginalized Morteza-Gerd neighborhood on the outskirts of Tehran. Data were collected through interviews with twenty participants. Most participants had low educational attainment, were unemployed or engaged in temporary and unstable jobs, and some were renters. Data analysis followed the three-stage grounded theory approach, including open, axial, and selective coding, which led to the identification of four main categories: feelings of stigma, economic inequality and social welfare, security and crime issues, and changes in social relationships and interactions. Feelings of stigma manifested through a sense of inferiority, the presence of addicts and homeless individuals, and various migrants, resulting in shame, embarrassment, and diminished self-confidence among residents, to the extent that many were reluctant to introduce their neighborhood or interact with others. Economic inequality and social welfare issues encompassed a lack of job opportunities, temporary and low-income employment, insufficient income, and the absence of essential facilities such as clean drinking water, transportation, and health and educational services, making daily life difficult for residents. Security and crime issues included street and ethnic conflicts, various thefts, street harassment, and the presence of non-local offenders, creating a persistent sense of insecurity and threat, leading to anxiety and concern among residents. Changes in social relationships and interactions appeared in the form of isolation, feelings of separation, reduced self-confidence, and limited out-group interactions, with residents showing little interest in engaging with individuals outside their neighborhood and avoiding disclosing their place of residence. The findings indicate that social exclusion in this neighborhood results from a combination of economic deprivation, limited welfare facilities, insecurity and crime, and restricted opportunities for social and cultural engagement, all of which diminish self-confidence, generate feelings of shame and embarrassment, and foster social isolation. These experiences demonstrate that living in such environments not only constrains the quality of life and economic well-being of residents but also impairs their capacity for social participation, the development of healthy relationships, and a sense of belonging, creating a cyclical pattern of deprivation and social exclusion that negatively affects all aspects of residents’ lives.

4.Conclusion

The findings indicate that residents of the marginalized Morteza-Gerd neighborhood experience social exclusion due to economic and cultural deprivation, accompanied by a sense of relative deprivation. Four main categories were identified: feelings of stigma, economic inequality and social welfare, security and crime issues, and changes in social relationships and interactions. Feelings of stigma arise from the presence of migrants, refugees, addicts, and homeless individuals, which negatively impact local values and ethics, leading to reduced trust, social isolation, discrimination, and disrespect toward residents, thereby threatening their psychological well-being. Economic inequality and low levels of welfare contribute to feelings of worthlessness, incapacity to meet basic needs, social isolation, and reduced self-confidence, pushing residents from material poverty to psychological exclusion. Lack of job opportunities, temporary employment, insufficient income, and inadequate welfare facilities make daily life difficult and perpetuate the cycle of deprivation and poverty. Security and crime issues create feelings of helplessness and insecurity, erode trust in governmental institutions, limit social and economic opportunities, and increase instability and social exclusion; the presence of offenders, frequent street conflicts, and thefts exacerbate residents’ fear, stress, and anxiety, reducing their engagement in social activities. Changes in social relationships and interactions, as a consequence of these conditions, lead to isolation, decreased trust, reduced positive interactions, heightened feelings of separation, depression, and psychological disorders. To reduce social exclusion and enhance well-being, improving access to education, providing social and psychological support services, strengthening public security, offering welfare support for those in need, creating financial and employment opportunities through banks, associations, and unions, and delivering services via charities and NGOs can play a critical role. These interventions increase awareness, skills, economic opportunities, and positive social interactions, reduce isolation and psychological exclusion, enhance trust and solidarity among residents, and disrupt the cycle of deprivation and social exclusion, enabling residents to experience better quality of life and social participation.

Keywords

Social exclusion
Relative Deprivation
Poverty
Inequality
Marginalized areas
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  • Receive Date 08 June 2026
  • Publish Date 08 June 2026