Radikal Feminizm Açısından Erken Evlilikler Üzerine Nitel Bir Çalışma

Abstract

In this research, the connection of the early marriages in the Çamlıkule neighborhood of Buca county of İzmir with patriarchal ideology and the gender roles that are constructed in line with the requirements of this ideology are evaluated based on the foundations of radical feminism and the effects of early marriage on women's lives are discussed. In the research, qualitative research method was used based on the way the feminist approach understands the social reality and in-depth interviews with 13 women were conducted.

According to the research results, it is seen that patriarchal ideology and social gender roles are in harmony with early marriages and the family structure established by these marriages, feeding each other. Patriarchal society structure and unequal gender roles have the biggest effect in the forming of early marriages. Anxiety of honor and families trying to preserve the security of young women, traditionalizing early marriages and the unawareness of other marriage practices, internalization of patriarchal discourses such as ‘spinsterhood’ are the reasons that early marriages continue to exist as a social problem.

Many early-married women are suffering patriarchal physical and psychological domestic abuse. Moreover, sexual abuse in its various forms is another kind of violence that is often experienced by women. According to this research, the passive position of the woman whose body and sexuality are under control also continues in the sexual life in marriage. Also, honor, which is based on female sexuality, creates pressure to form early marriages and virginity is a concept that is attributed to women that needs to be preserved until marriage.

The research indicates that women’s procreative physiology and its socio-cultural interpretation has profound effects on women's life. Women's knowledge and awareness about reproductive and sexual health is low. The fact that housework and child care responsibilities are totally belong to women also negatively affects the life of women and the labour of early married women is exploited by the whole family.

When they find the care they were deprived of by their families from a man causes the woman, who is basically a child, to feel emotional closeness to the man. The presence of men, however, creates a feeling of security; and, even though their marriage is far from emotional sharing and satisfaction, women prefer to be married.