Honour as a changing and transforming concept and gender

In this thesis, the concept of honour presented as a basis to shape the gender hierarchy by justifying the inequalities between men and women is analyzed as a social and political notion which reproduces the patriarchy. With regard to the fact that violence against women becomes continuous through being justified and affirmed by honour codes in an honour-based gender order, the political and social structure of honour is examined. It is thought that the concept of honour has a non-negligible nature to make "appropriate" gender identities for men and women. The claim that states experiences of womanhood and manhood developed within terms of honour are formed in such dichotomies as responsibilities and advantages, difficulties and easiness is discussed with the data acquired through in-depth interviews with male and female students in Akdeniz University. It is aimed to study social, cultural, political and ideological factors behind honour which is used as an "appropriate" tool to control and regularize women's sexualities and bodies. It is claimed that the concept of honour regarded as a way of violence against women is transformed in manners and content within different social structures and patriarchies but the essential points named patriarchy and sexism are not eroded.