Role of the mother in transferring male-dominated gender roles: Why and how?

The aim of this study is to investigate whether the mother, who is a central element in raising children, contributes to the transmission of gender roles consciously or unconsciously, and if so, why and how she does so. This study is a qualitative research using a semi-structured interview form. The sample of the study consisted of 13 mothers with boys and girls aged 6-25 with different socio-economic and educational levels. The research findings obtained through in-depth interviews, one of the qualitative research methods, show that mothers unwittingly contribute to the transmission of gender roles as role models. Gender roles internalized by mothers in daily life are transferred to daughters who identify with the mother, especially in the domestic division of labor, with the effect of social learning. In the process of transition from childhood to motherhood, the vital practices that mothers acquire from their own mothers are continued especially in domestic responsibilities. On the other hand, mothers are sensitive to the discrimination and victimization they experienced during their own childhood, such as the division of property and girls not being educated, and do not want to inflict these differences on their daughters.