Sociological Factors Affecting the Continuity of Handicrafts Activities: A Case Study of Craftsmen in Mashhad

 
Handicrafts in any culture are regarded as the fundamental indicators of identity, cultural and historical values of nations; and hence examining their production objectives during the modern-industrial era proves to be of significant necessity. This research examines the sociological justification regarding the continuation of handicrafts with emphasis on the existing jobs in Mashhad city, using the qualitative methodology, and based on grounded theory. The data was collected through semi-structured individual interviews with handicraft artists and craftsmen; to validate the results, however, part of the research was conducted through participatory observation. After going through the three stages of coding according to Strauss and Corbin, the central argument of the research entitled “dealing with artistic activity in the field of handicraft production and its continuation” and its corresponding paradigm model were identified and developed, accordingly. This phenomenon reflects the ideas and social objectives that justify the continuation of this traditional profession in the contemporary era. The results of this study show that having artistic taste, stimulating elements of artistic activity and environmental and spiritual impact are the most important causal conditions affecting the phenomenon and the main outcome is 3 categories of impact on the audience, gaining social status and social consequences related to the subject. This, the research proved, has led to the continuation of handicrafts in a new social class despite its decline in its traditional origins.