Remarriage of men in later life

The aim of the research is to explore how and why men decide to remarry in their later years after their previous marriages have ended, and how they experience these processes in the context of masculine values. This thesis focuses on understanding under what circumstances remarriage is associated with "aging and masculinity experiences" for men and how the preference for remarriage makes the construction of masculinity in family relationships. Remarriage, especially in later life, plays a significant role in the reconstruction and negotiation of gender identities for men. Unlike first marriages, remarriages often involve more complex social, economic, and emotional dynamics. In this context, remarriage provides an important opportunity to understand how masculine identities and gender roles are transformed. Observing how older men who remarry renegotiate and adapt hegemonic masculinity ideals while trying to balance social norms, personal expectations, and family dynamics is possible. The thesis consists of three parts. The first part includes the conceptual and theoretical framework related to the thesis topic. The second part presents the details of the research method, and the third part analyzes the findings obtained. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, this research reveals that remarriage in later life is a complex and multidimensional experience in the context of masculinities and emphasizes the importance of meeting emotional, social, and practical life needs in this process. In conclusion, the importance of the life course perspective can be emphasized for understanding remarriage among men in later life in the context of gender. The findings highlight the impact of gender and masculinity roles on marriage dynamics, showing how the marital union is constructed based on masculine values. Overall, these findings demonstrate that mutual understanding and respect provide happier and more harmonious relationships for both men and women. The views of remarried men emphasize the importance of open communication, honesty, and mutual respect in marriage. On the other hand, it can be said that the phenomenon of aging within the context of dominant masculine values is perceived as a weakness and a negative experience for these men. The weakening of hegemonic values with aging of men leads to a tendency to re-establish heteronormative family relationships through remarriage. Therefore, remarriage shows an effect that causes the transformation of gender relations in terms of maintaining masculine values or regaining hegemonic elements lost with aging.