Construction of identity in the framework of symbolic interactionism: Experiences of divorced individuals

The phenomenon of divorce is increasingly becoming more visible today. In this sense, it has become a subject of sociological study as well as among various social disciplines. Reflexive modernity includes manufactured global risks and uncertainties. These global risks, uncertainties, and the rise of individualization have also impacted social relations and the institution of the family. The concepts of love, privacy and family have also become fluid and have come to carry contradictory meanings. In this context, divorce rates are increasing in Turkey, although not as high as in Western countries. Aydın, on the other hand, has maintained its position as one of the ten provinces with above average divorce rates in Turkey for the last twenty years. This study examines the self- and identity-construction processes of divorced individuals living in Aydın, one of the provinces with the highest divorce rates in Turkey, from a theoretical framework of symbolic interactionism. In-depth interviews were conducted with a total of 22 participants (14 women, 8 men), within the scope of the research conducted with qualitative methods. The study focused on the effects of divorce on individuals' social relations, social roles, self-perceptions, and how they reconstruct their identities. The reflexive reconstruction of self and identity was analyzed using Maxqda, specifically through post-divorce social interactions and the meanings individuals ascribe to these interactions. In the context of Goffman's concept of stigma, divorced identity has become one of the fundamental concepts in understanding how divorced individuals experience their position in society. Male participants stated that they experienced limited exclusion in traditional environments; however, women stated that their identity-building processes were directly or indirectly affected by social pressure, judgment, and stigmatization. While the majority of participants defined divorce as a positive turning point with the expression "I'm glad", the statement "I wish I had divorced earlier" is also noteworthy. Although divorce initially involves psychosocial difficulties, over time it becomes a development area that increases self-awareness for individuals and allows them to re-establish their identity. KEYWORDS: Daily life, Divorce, Identity, Self, Stigma.