Daily life practices, gender roles and fertility behaviors of Syrian women: Example of Antalya province

Migration is not only a change of location. Individuals also bring their cultural and social resources to their new destination. The cultural encounters that are connected to migration do carry negative aspects like social clashes, adaption problems and generational conflicts as well as the potential to change. In this thesis, the sexuality, reproduction schemes and fertility patterns of Syrian women who have experienced war and forced migration are examined in the context of gender norms and conveyed through their own experiences and practices. Behavioral patterns of sexuality, sexual health and reproductive health shaped by the patriarchal society and male dominance have been studied and their connection to gender norms have been analyzed. Furthermore, it has been examined whether the behavioral patterns of sexual health and fertility have altered after the act of migration, and if so, to what extent and in what form they have changed. In this context, 30 Syrian women were interviewed to explain their experiences of war and migration, the state of femininity in migration, the reflection of migration on women's practices, and their strategies of adaptation to their new cultural environment. In this study, the difficulties of being a woman along with the economic and social problems brought by migration have been tried to be conveyed through women's experiences. As a result of the patriarchal structures we live in, women have to shoulder a heavy burden, and during the process of migration they try to fulfill their gender roles while living with the complexity of being refugees. In the research, it is understood that women are as effective as men in the decision to migrate, and they experience a more difficult process as women in war and migration compared to other social groups. In the study, it is noteworthy that the education level of the participants is low, they are not involved in employment, they have an arranged marriage with a patrilineal marriage, and their fertility rates are high. Findings show that women see it as their most important responsibility to meet the physical, spiritual and sexual needs of men, whom they think are the continuation of the lineage and the livelihood of the household. Their social status has undergone serious changes during the migration. Some have lost their jobs while others have adapted a new role by becoming the provider of the main income of the household. This study was designed with qualitative research and relies on the observation and semi-structured interview technique. To be able to achieve the necessary data, prepared questions were directed at the participants. The order of the questions were rearranged according to the course of the interview and new questions were added when necessary in order to deepen the interview. The data obtained was analyzed with the descriptive analysis technique and the insights of Syrian immigrant women were tried to be revealed in line with the purpose of the study. As a result of the study, it is seen that the status of women in Syrian society is shaped around Arab culture and traditional Islamic practices. Although it is legally inadequate, it has been determined that although women have some legal rights, these are not reflected in women's practices in social life. It is seen that gendered codes are effective in the fertility behaviors of Syrian women. In the society they belong to, patriarchy determines the sexuality, reproductive health and fertility of women.