Interpreting the masculine experience through the lens of migration: The case of Istanbul

This study discusses the masculinity crisis experienced by Syrian men who migrated. The aim is to reveal the societal phenomena around which Syrian migrant men experience a crisis and how the migration process disrupts the power imbalance created by the patriarchal system, leading to a masculinity crisis. In the scope of the research, in-depth interviews were conducted with 13 Syrian men located in the Ümraniye, Fatih, and Sultanbeyli districts of Istanbul. The participants' views were analyzed, and the research findings were categorized into three groups s. "Burden of Masculinity," "Transferred Masculinity," and " Following the migration process, it was observed that Syrian men tend to preserve their cultural codes, and there is no significant change in their perspectives on masculinity beliefs. The areas examined in the research related to the masculinity crisis during the migration process include subtopics such as employment-unemployment, domestic roles, fatherhood, authority, and the transfer of masculinity beliefs. Contrary to expectations, Syrian migrant men were found not to experience turmoil in many areas related to the masculinity crisis; instead, they continued all their traditional roles. The study also investigates strategies adopted by Syrian men to cope with or evade the masculinity crisis.