The effects of changes in the family structure of families migrating from rural to urban areas on the role of women: The case of Çanakkale Esenler Neighborhood

The study aims to examine the effects of changes in the family structure of families migrating from rural to urban areas on the role of women from a holistic perspective in terms of women's relationship and communication with their spouses, relationship and communication with their children, and relationship and communication with family elders. The research population consists of women living in Esenler Neighborhood in the city center of Canakkale Province. The research sample consists of 20 female participants from different households. Personal Information Form and Interview Questionnaire were used as data collection tools. First of all, the sample was formed by reducing the number of households to 20, and then semi-structured interviews were conducted with one woman from each household. The data obtained from the interviews were transferred to electronic media and the documents created were analyzed by applying content analysis method. As a result: (i) Men, who did not participate in household chores before migration, started to assume more responsibility after migration due to new living conditions and social environment. Spouses who did not spend time together before migration started to spend more time together after migration. Spouses who had limited emotional sharing before migration started to have more relaxed and open emotional sharing after migration. Families who had limitations in showing affection to children before migration started to show affection more freely and openly after migration. Families who had difficulties in setting rules and making their children obey them before migration became more independent and effective after migration. Parents who were restricted by the intervention of family elders before migration were able to participate more independently and effectively in their children's education after migration. (iii) Parents who were restricted by the intervention of family elders before migration were able to intervene more independently and effectively in their children's nutrition after migration. Participants who faced interference from elders in physical activities at home before migration lived a more independent life after migration and reported that these interferences decreased. While the contribution of grandparents to the care of grandchildren was common before migration, it was observed that these responsibilities shifted more to parents after migration. Families who experienced limitations due to cultural norms and large family structure before migration experienced changes in these relationships due to physical distance and freedom factors after migration.