EFFECT OF RURAL TO URBAN MIGRATION ON WOMEN IN TURKEY FROM GENDER PERSPECTIVE: A CASE STUDY OF IZMIR PROVIENCE IN TURKEY

Rural-to-urban migration in Turkey, a phenomenon that began in the 1950s has significantly influenced women’s gender roles, status, and living standards. This paper examines the impact of rural-to-urban migration on women in Turkey, using İzmir as a case study from a gender perspective. The study employs a qualitative methodology, incorporating on interviews and observations. The findings reveal that women experience emancipation and empowerment within their families in urban areas compared to rural ones. The shift from traditional to nuclear family structures has transformed gender roles, granting women greater freedom and reducing the pressures prevalent in rural settings. The nuclear family model also fosters a more equitable and shared division of labor between men and women. However, significant challenges persist regarding women’s participation in the labor market. Systematic barriers such as societal restrictions, traditional gender roles within the society and the perception of women as cheap labor due to their low educational levels are major obstacles for integration of women into urban environments. The data indicates that women’s labor market participation in the urban areas remains limited, complicating the process of transforming gender roles.土耳其的乡城迁移（rural-to-urban migration）这一始于20世纪50年代的现象，已对女性的性别角色、社会地位与生活水平产生了深远影响。本研究以性别视角为框架，以伊兹密尔（İzmir）为案例研究对象，探讨土耳其乡城迁移对女性群体的影响。本研究采用质性研究方法，结合访谈与观察开展研究。研究结果显示，相较于农村地区，城市中的女性在家庭层面获得了解放与赋权。从传统家庭结构向核心家庭（nuclear family）结构的转变重塑了性别角色，为女性赋予了更多自由，并缓解了农村地区普遍存在的生活压力。核心家庭模式同样有助于构建男女之间更为公平、协同的劳动分工体系。然而，女性在劳动力市场参与方面仍面临诸多严峻挑战。系统性阻碍因素包括社会限制、社会内部根深蒂固的传统性别观念，以及因女性受教育水平较低而将其视为廉价劳动力的社会认知，这些均是女性融入城市环境的主要障碍。研究数据显示，城市地区女性的劳动力市场参与度仍然有限，这进一步复杂化了性别角色转型的进程。