This study aims to investigate the reasons and contexts of pet ownership in Shiraz. Utilizing a qualitative approach based on Grounded Theory, the research was conducted using Strauss and Corbin’s three-stage coding method. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews using purposive and theoretical sampling methods with 16 pet owners.
The abstraction of data regarding the contextual conditions of pet ownership resulted in three categories: prior experience of living with animals, livelihood hardships, and economic deterrence in the desire for childbearing and evading child-rearing responsibilities. Furthermore, the causal conditions of pet ownership were classified into four categories: disconnection from human social networks, pets as a means of entertainment, pets as a soothing agent, and pets as a helping agent under the axial category of seeking affection and meaning in non-human bonds. Additionally, two categories of recommendation-based acceptance and unexpected acceptance were categorized under the axial category of accidental/imposed acceptance, all of which were ultimately abstracted around the core category of "constructing a quasi-family relationship with the pet."
The results of this study indicated that pet owners adopt three main strategies when facing prohibitions and restrictions: justificatory strategy, deferred strategy, and evasion strategy. Finally, the consequences of this phenomenon were identified in four domains: living in the moment, filling the vacuum of power and security, communicative consequences, and psychological consequences. These findings suggest that pet ownership should be analyzed as part of broader socio-cultural transformations in the lifestyle of Iranian society.
Karimi, A. , rastegar, Y. and nikkhah, H. (2026). Reasons and contexts for keeping pets in Shiraz; a qualitative study. Journal of Applied Sociology, (), -. doi: 10.22108/jas.2026.147112.2718
MLA
Karimi, A. , , rastegar, Y. , and nikkhah, H. . "Reasons and contexts for keeping pets in Shiraz; a qualitative study", Journal of Applied Sociology, , , 2026, -. doi: 10.22108/jas.2026.147112.2718
HARVARD
Karimi, A., rastegar, Y., nikkhah, H. (2026). 'Reasons and contexts for keeping pets in Shiraz; a qualitative study', Journal of Applied Sociology, (), pp. -. doi: 10.22108/jas.2026.147112.2718
CHICAGO
A. Karimi , Y. rastegar and H. nikkhah, "Reasons and contexts for keeping pets in Shiraz; a qualitative study," Journal of Applied Sociology, (2026): -, doi: 10.22108/jas.2026.147112.2718
VANCOUVER
Karimi, A., rastegar, Y., nikkhah, H. Reasons and contexts for keeping pets in Shiraz; a qualitative study. Journal of Applied Sociology, 2026; (): -. doi: 10.22108/jas.2026.147112.2718
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