The relationship between gender and religiosity: A study on the Ağrı example

The issues surrounding gender equality and gender perceptions remain central topics of debate in both psychological and religious discourses. These discussions cannot be divorced from other socio-cultural variables, such as language, ethnicity, geography, parental education, and religion. Specifically, in Eastern and Southeastern Turkey, it is essential to account for these factors when exploring the subject of gender. The lack of comparable thesis studies in Ağrı and the broader Eastern Anatolia region on this topic served as the primary motivation for this research. This study emphasizes the importance of family dynamics in shaping gender perceptions. In the theoretical framework, the study highlights both opposition and support for gender equality, while exploring the perspectives of Islamic feminism on women's issues and the solutions they propose to these challenges. The empirical component of the study focuses on the religiosity and gender perceptions of individuals residing in Ağrı. A total of 352 participants (160 men and 192 women) were surveyed using the Religious Attitude Scale and the Gender Roles Attitude Scale. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS 27.0. The findings revealed a significant negative correlation between religiosity levels and gender perception. Additionally, it was found that male participants exhibited higher levels of religiosity compared to female participants. The hypotheses were subsequently analyzed in light of these results. Keywords: Gender, Gender Equality, Psychology of Religion, Religiosity.