University of Tehran Iranian Journal of Public Policy 2538-5577 9 4 2024 02 20 Strategies for Removing the Obstacles to Childbearing for Female Faculty Members in Iran The Application of the Future-Oriented Approach of Casual Layer Analysis Strategies for Removing the Obstacles to Childbearing for Female Faculty Members in Iran The Application of the Future-Oriented Approach of Casual Layer Analysis 24 46 96179 10.22059/jppolicy.2024.96179 FA Leila Namdarian Associate Professor of Science and Technology Policymaking, Information and Society Research Department, Iranian Research Institute for Information science and Technology (IranDoc), Tehran, Iran. 0000-0002-1411-6368 Journal Article 2024 03 02 Iran is currently facing a decline in birth rates, particularly within families affiliated with the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology (ATF). This study aims to propose effective strategies for addressing barriers to childbearing among female academic faculty members within the ATF Ministry. Through forward-looking casual layer analysis, the research identifies obstacles across four layers: litany, systemic causes, worldview/discourse, and myth/metaphor. Thirteen obstacles at the litany level, 21 at the systemic causes level, 14 at the worldview/discourse level, and 15 at the metaphorical layer are identified. Strategies are systematically presented, beginning with challenging and transforming deeply rooted myths and metaphors, then interventions targeting social narratives, structural changes, and practical measures to support childbearing. These strategies are designed to preemptively address future impediments and foster a conducive environment for marriage, childbirth, and overall youth welfare within the ATF Ministry. Iran is currently facing a decline in birth rates, particularly within families affiliated with the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology (ATF). This study aims to propose effective strategies for addressing barriers to childbearing among female academic faculty members within the ATF Ministry. Through forward-looking casual layer analysis, the research identifies obstacles across four layers: litany, systemic causes, worldview/discourse, and myth/metaphor. Thirteen obstacles at the litany level, 21 at the systemic causes level, 14 at the worldview/discourse level, and 15 at the metaphorical layer are identified. Strategies are systematically presented, beginning with challenging and transforming deeply rooted myths and metaphors, then interventions targeting social narratives, structural changes, and practical measures to support childbearing. These strategies are designed to preemptively address future impediments and foster a conducive environment for marriage, childbirth, and overall youth welfare within the ATF Ministry. Obstacles to Childbearing female faculty members Causal Layered Analysis and Strategies to Increase Childbearing https://jppolicy.ut.ac.ir/article_96179_133f23d30490c31c4562fabeff18d7bf.pdf