MEN AND MASCULINITIES IN TURKEY: PERCEPTIONS OF MALE STUDENTS AT ORDU UNIVERSITY

Authors : Fatma Özlem TEZCEK

Pages : 68-85

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Publication Date : 2023-06-23

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :In this research, the hegemonic discourse of Anatolian masculinities, which have been changed historically and socially in the context of gendered power relations, is examined through the perceptions of university students. In the field research, 537 male students were surveyed, and in-depth interviews were conducted with 44 male students. Within the framework of neoliberal policies that represent the current outcomes of patriarchal capitalism, it is possible to draw attention to the rapidly increasing population of male working-poor in Anatolia who are mostly university graduates. They are exposed to intense labor exploitation in order not to receive financial support from their families and thus to prove their masculinity. The traditional hegemonic masculinity discourse, which is unique to Anatolia historically, affects students\` perceptions of masculinity in four areas: graduating from university and having a good job, fulfilling compulsory military-service, getting married and having children, and as the patriarchal sexual policy, women\`s honor and holy-motherhood discourse and perceptions. The formation of these patriarchal masculine values was constituted by the following historical and social dynamics of Anatolia: the cultural values of ancient Anatolian societies, the anti-imperialist struggle against the West, the military-nation discourse of the nation-state of the Republic of Turkey, and Islamic values.
Keywords : TOPLUMSAL CİNSİYET, ERKEKLİKLER, ATAERKİL KÜLTÜR, NEOLİBERALİZM, CİNSEL POLİTİKA, DUYGULAR, GÖÇ