Gender Perception towards Women in Rural Areas in Turkey

Abstract

Women and men have certain roles and responsibilities in social life. These roles and responsibilities are determined by gender. The perception of gender can be different in urban and rural areas. In this research, the gendered perception of women was investigated specifically in Tokat province. 175 women and 125 men in 25 quarters of the central district of Tokat province, who had immigrated from rural to urban areas, were given a questionnaire. The study was aimed at identifying certain views on the family life of the woman, the work life of the woman, whether the man was considered as the leader of the family, and whether these views had a relationship with gender. The study was investigated statistically using Chi-square analysis. The statistical analysis showed that there existed a significant relationship between the views of the participants on gender, and their sex. Rural women believe that women can run businesses, work as managers, continue working after marriage, their working will not hinder their household tasks and they believe that they can work after giving birth more than men do. The majority of the men that took part in the survey think that the man is the family's leader and that men should make the most important decisions. An important part of the men think women are vulnerable and they should be protected.