Patriarchy and masculinity image in narratives of women who received service from women's guest-house

The aim of this study is to examine the themes of the masculinity image in a patriarchal society, from the feminist point of view, in the case of the 37 women who received service from the Burdur Women's Guest-house. Qualitative research method was used in this research and in-depth interviews were conducted with 37 women, who received service from the Burdur Women's Guest-house due to exposure to violence or need for shelter. Information received through open-ended questionnaire in interviews have been interpreted in the theoretical framework. According to the results of the study, the masculinity images of women were evaluated under three main headings: creating the images in childhood years, with family and immediate environment; legitimizing the images in adulthood years, with their marriages; continuation of the images through everyday life practices. As regards the construction of the image of masculinity in childhood, it is understood that issues such as family relations -role models in family, communication with male individuals in the family- and access to education opportunities are important. Within the framework of these issues, the masculinity image in childhood is shaped in the context of gender roles, and is built on the axis of violence, strength and power. It has been found that the constructed image of masculinity during childhood experiences is legitimized in adult life. It has been observed that the phase of legitimation is revealed by the relationship patterns within the marriage life (spousal relations, economic status, social life, family relations, the effects of marriage on marriage, extramarital relations, sexual violence, the control of men on the female body and the transfer of intergenerational violence, reproduction of patriarchy, etc.). In the process of legitimizing the image of masculinity, the emphasis on violence, same as in the childhood experiences, showed that violence/power/strength concepts are effective in the reproduction of patriarchy. The continuation of the image of masculinity, which was constructed in childhood experiences and legitimized in marriage experiences, is made possible by everyday life practices. It was observed that the daily life practices of the women participating in the research were shaped around the definitions of masculinity and femininity, their discourse on gender equality, their way of raising their children, regrets about past experiences and the themes of women's guesthouse process.