Migrant men's masculinity experiences: The case of Sivas

The internal conflicts in Syria and Afghanistan force people to migrate in search of a safer and better life. This study focuses on the migration and masculinity experiences of male immigrants who have migrated from Syria and Afghanistan to the province of Sivas. International migration is a complex sociocultural and economic process that shapes the economic, cultural, and social ties of migrants with their home countries, while simultaneously integrating them into the host country through the establishment of new social networks during the adaptation process. These processes are influenced by other identity categories such as gender identity, class, ethnic origin, and age. Therefore, the migration experience cannot be evaluated independently of gender. The phenomenon of migration becomes a field that affects, changes, and transforms gender identity and practices. In this context, the concept of masculinity has been comparatively examined in relation to the relationships and cultural interactions shaped during the migration process from Syria and Afghanistan. The phenomenological method of interpretive social science was used in the research. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight male immigrants from Afghanistan and eight from Syria who migrated to Sivas. The participants are individuals working in various job sectors within the age range of 22-43. Questions were asked regarding daily life, work life, and masculinity experiences. The study indicates areas where traditional roles are reconstructed with similarities and differences in cultural codes of the migrated and origin countries, highlighting both the preservation and transformation of certain areas.