Türk Vatandaşı Erkeklerin Suriyeli Kadınlarla Kurduğu Çok Eşli Evlilikler: Evlilik İçi Farklı Aktörlerin Gözünden Çok Eşlilik Deneyimi

Abstract

This study was conducted to understand why and how polygamous marriages between Turkish men and Syrian women have come to the fore again after the forced migration from Syria started in 2011. In this research, which was designed with a qualitative research model, a semi-structured interview form was used. The subjects of the study were selected as polygamous Turkish men and their Turkish and Syrian spouses by “marrying” a Syrian woman in a religious marriage while legally married to a Turkish woman. The data of the research was gathered through in-depth interviews with a total of 25 people in Şanlıurfa, Kilis, and Hatay. Research results, “Men’s Ways of Legitimizing Polygamy”; “Marriage Market and Bargains-Establishment of Marriages”; “The Process of Polygamy, Relationships Between Couples and Problems”; “Positions Taken in the Face of Polygamy” have been interpreted under its main headings. According to the results of the research, men legitimize their polygamy through some masculinity patterns. It has been seen that these patterns, which can be explained through men’s gaining power, are intended to define the ideal of hegemonic masculinity. After the Syrian forced migration, it was seen that a marriage market was formed in which Syrian women were included in polygamous marriages through brokers, and in this process, men bargained according to the hegemonic masculinity patterns, and women made patriarchal bargains. It has been seen that both Turkish and Syrian women are exposed to violence by men during and after the establishment of marriages, and Syrian women are more vulnerable due to their legal status in Turkey and their informal marriages. Men explained this marriage by stating that the spouse in the house did not meet certain femininity criteria, therefore, they stated that they were right in their marriage decision and demanded that their polygamy be legal as an exception. The fact that Syrian women demand citizenship by not wanting a legal marriage shows that Syrian women have applied for these marriages to connect with the country they migrated to. Within the framework of the results of the study, it was discussed that the dynamics of polygamous marriages should be reconsidered through masculinity patterns, and the need to develop protective and preventive policies by considering the vulnerabilities of women during the migration process, together with the protection of women against violence in the process of being included in these marriages and afterward.