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DOI :10.26650/SJ.2023.43.1.0030B   IUP :10.26650/SJ.2023.43.1.0030B    Full Text (PDF)

Post-Divorce Experiences in Türkiye and the Social Structures Behind the Reasons for Divorce

Çağrı Elmas, Nurşen Adak

In developing countries such as Türkiye, traditional factors such as a patriarchy make the reasons for divorce unique. The causes and consequences of divorce include changes in economic conditions, the gender division of labor, and a rising tendency toward individualism over collectivism. Economic instability and lower living standards are not only a cause but an inevitable consequence of divorce, especially for women who face disproportionate financial difficulties, even after taking shared incomes into account. Gender differences and changes in social and economic conditions are the two main factors in the increase in divorce rates in Türkiye and around the world. This study aims to examine the similarities and clustering of reasons for divorce in terms of individuals’ gender, education, income, marital status, and region in Türkiye using a multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) based on the Family Structure in Türkiye (TAYA) 2021 dataset. The dataset includes information about the reasons for divorce from male and female participants over the age of 18 who have undergone divorce at least once. The results from the MCA analysis reveal both men and women to show a number of similar reasons for divorce, such as economic and family problems. However, gender-based variations are found regarding response intensities to these causes. While women tend to place more emphasis on such factors as emotional and domestic violence, men tend to be very home-oriented and to have expressed practical issues such as acceptance of their extended family’s views. The study also reveals socioeconomic factors such as income and education level to play an important role in shaping the reasons for divorce for both genders. 

Keywords: Türkiye, Family dissolution, Reasons for divorce, Gender, Post-divorce experiences
DOI :10.26650/SJ.2023.43.1.0030B   IUP :10.26650/SJ.2023.43.1.0030B    Full Text (PDF)

Türkiye’de Boşanma Nedenlerinin Toplumsal Kökenleri ve Boşanma Sonrası Deneyimler

Çağrı Elmas, Nurşen Adak

Türkiye gibi gelişmekte olan ülkelerde bazı geleneksel değerlerin hala kabul görmesi boşanma nedenlerini özgün kılmaktadır. Boşanma nedenleri ve sonuçları, ekonomik koşullardaki değişiklikleri, cinsiyete dayalı iş bölümü ve kolektivizme karşı yükselen bireysellik eğilimi içerir. Ekonomik istikrarsızlık ve düşen yaşam standartları, özellikle gelir paylaşımını hesaba kattıktan sonra bile orantısız mali zorluklarla karşı karşıya kalan kadınlar için boşanmanın sadece bir nedeni değil, aynı zamanda kaçınılmaz bir sonucudur. Cinsiyet farklılıkları ile sosyal ve ekonomik koşullardaki değişimler, Türkiye’de ve dünyada boşanma oranlarının artmasındaki temel faktörlerdir. Bu çalışma, TAYA-2021 veri setinin çoklu mütekabiliyet analizini (ÇMA) kullanarak, Türkiye’deki bireylerin cinsiyet, eğitim, gelir, medeni durum, bölgeye göre boşanma nedenlerinin benzerlik ve kümelenmelerini incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Veri seti, daha önce en az bir kez boşanmış 18 yaş üstü kadın ve erkeklerin boşanma sebeplerine ilişkin bilgileri içermektedir. ÇMA analizi sonuçları hem erkeklerin hem de kadınların ekonomik ve ailevi sorunlar gibi birtakım benzer boşanma sebeplerine sahip olduklarını ortaya koymaktadır. Ancak bu nedenlere verilen yanıt yoğunluklarında cinsiyet farklılıkları bulunmaktadır. Kadınlar ev odaklı ve aile içi şiddet gibi faktörlere daha fazla önem verme eğilimindeyken, erkekler ev odaklı ve geniş aileden gelen görüşün kabulü gibi pratik konulara eğilim göstermiştir. Çalışma ayrıca, gelir ve eğitim düzeyi gibi sosyoekonomik faktörlerin her iki cinsiyet için de boşanma nedenlerinin şekillenmesinde önemli bir rol oynadığını göstermektedir.

Keywords: Türkiye, Değişen aile, Boşanma nedenleri, Toplumsal cinsiyet, Boşanma ve sonrası deneyimler

EXTENDED ABSTRACT


The article discusses the issue of divorce in the post-modern era and how it has become increasingly common not only in the Western world but also in developing countries such as Türkiye. The article analyzes the reasons for divorce based on economic, social, and cultural perspectives and suggests the change in gender roles, rise of individualism, and complexity of modern economies have all been able to contribute to the increase in divorce rates. Economic conditions are seen as one of the most significant factors in divorce, with financial instability and a decrease in living standards being both a cause and a result of divorce. The article argues changing gender norms, feminist consciousness, and the rise in women’s employment to have also contributed to the increase in divorce rates. However, some studies have suggested employment status alone to have had no significant impact on divorce decisions. The article concludes divorce to be a complex issue that involves multiple factors and overall provides a broad overview of the issue of divorce in the post-modern era by focusing on its economic, social, and cultural dimensions.

Divorce rates have been on the rise globally, with Türkiye being no exception. Divorce is a complex social phenomenon involving economic, social, cultural, and gendered aspects. In developing countries like Türkiye, conventional factors such as patriarchy have resulted in unique reasons for divorce. The reasons for and consequences of divorce involve changes in economic conditions, the redefinition of gender roles, and a trending rise in individualism over collectivism. Economic instability and a decline in living standards are not only a reason for divorce but also an inevitable consequence, especially for women who face disproportionate financial difficulties, even after accounting for shared incomes. When considering marriage as a type of partnership or relationship for meeting individuals’ various needs and expectations, the breakdown of marital bonds (i.e., divorce) can occur when these needs and expectations are not met. Gender awareness and changes in social and economic conditions are two key factors for the increase in divorce rates in Türkiye and around the world. The impact women’s social movements have had on marriage and family life, the sexual revolution, and the rise of feminist consciousness have all been influential in reshaping views on marriage and family life. Studies have shown the employment status of both partners to not significantly affect divorce decisions; however, when only the husband is employed, both men and women are less willing to divorce. Thus, understanding the social structure behind the reasons for divorce based on a gender perspective is crucial for developing effective policies and interventions that address the complexities of divorce and its impact on individuals and society.

This study aims to explore the social structure behind the reasons for divorce in Türkiye based on gender using a multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) of a dataset collected through a survey in Türkiye. The dataset includes information about the reasons for divorce as provided by male and female participants over 18 years old who’ve undergone divorce at least once in their lives before. The MCA results reveal both men and women to cite similar reasons for divorce, such as economic and family problems. However, gender differences do exist regarding the weight given to these reasons. Women tend to place more emphasis on physical and psychological factors such as emotional neglect and domestic violence, while men focus more on practical issues such as household tasks and acceptance from the extended family. 

This study focuses on the effects socio-demographic factors have on divorce rates and the reasons for divorce in Türkiye. The article discusses data from Türkiye Family Structure Survey (TAYA, 2021) regarding individuals who have experienced divorce at least once in Türkiye. The findings also reveal 17.7% of participants to have no monthly income; those with an income earn an average of 4,164 TL (US$ 487,5) per month in 2021. A statistically significant difference is found regarding divorced individuals’ average income based on gender, with women reporting lower incomes than men. When looking at education, 12.5% of divorced women reported not having finished school, compared to only 3.7% of men. 

The article also suggests one way to alleviate the burden of divorce as remarrying. When asked about their current marital status, 38.3% of divorced participants reported being married, with men being more likely to remarry than women. The article suggests the fact that men having initiated divorce at a lower rate may support with men being more likely to remarry. 

Finally, the article notes that multiple reasons may occur for divorce. In general, the primary reason for divorce was determined to be irresponsible and irrelevant behavior of the spouse. While various problems and accumulated burdens may lead to dissatisfaction with marriage, the primary reason for divorce is often seen as the breaking point of the marriage. 

According to the research results, the reasons for divorce show a complex distribution according to the participants’ social profiles. Differences occur regarding social factors such as geographical region, education and income status, age, current marital status, and gender. For example, the decisions to remarry after divorce for women with a certain level of education and income is seen to be lower for the western regions of Türkiye decreased. In addition, the decision to remarriage varies according to the social status of divorced individuals. Women with no income and low level of education are more prone to remarry after divorce. These women are also observed to more likely have been exposed to violence in their previous marriages. According to the research results, all women are seen to have instigated divorce in their previous marriages, and most of them only underwent divorce once.

The study has also found socioeconomic factors such as income and education level to play a significant role in shaping the reasons for divorce for both genders. Overall, the study highlights the importance of understanding the gendered social structure behind the reasons for divorce in Türkiye, as this can inform policies aimed at reducing divorce rates and improving the well-being of individuals and families.


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APA

Elmas, Ç., & Adak, N. (2023). Post-Divorce Experiences in Türkiye and the Social Structures Behind the Reasons for Divorce. İstanbul University Journal of Sociology, 43(1), 84-97. https://doi.org/10.26650/SJ.2023.43.1.0030B


AMA

Elmas Ç, Adak N. Post-Divorce Experiences in Türkiye and the Social Structures Behind the Reasons for Divorce. İstanbul University Journal of Sociology. 2023;43(1):84-97. https://doi.org/10.26650/SJ.2023.43.1.0030B


ABNT

Elmas, Ç.; Adak, N. Post-Divorce Experiences in Türkiye and the Social Structures Behind the Reasons for Divorce. İstanbul University Journal of Sociology, [Publisher Location], v. 43, n. 1, p. 84-97, 2023.


Chicago: Author-Date Style

Elmas, Çağrı, and Nurşen Adak. 2023. “Post-Divorce Experiences in Türkiye and the Social Structures Behind the Reasons for Divorce.” İstanbul University Journal of Sociology 43, no. 1: 84-97. https://doi.org/10.26650/SJ.2023.43.1.0030B


Chicago: Humanities Style

Elmas, Çağrı, and Nurşen Adak. “Post-Divorce Experiences in Türkiye and the Social Structures Behind the Reasons for Divorce.” İstanbul University Journal of Sociology 43, no. 1 (May. 2024): 84-97. https://doi.org/10.26650/SJ.2023.43.1.0030B


Harvard: Australian Style

Elmas, Ç & Adak, N 2023, 'Post-Divorce Experiences in Türkiye and the Social Structures Behind the Reasons for Divorce', İstanbul University Journal of Sociology, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 84-97, viewed 20 May. 2024, https://doi.org/10.26650/SJ.2023.43.1.0030B


Harvard: Author-Date Style

Elmas, Ç. and Adak, N. (2023) ‘Post-Divorce Experiences in Türkiye and the Social Structures Behind the Reasons for Divorce’, İstanbul University Journal of Sociology, 43(1), pp. 84-97. https://doi.org/10.26650/SJ.2023.43.1.0030B (20 May. 2024).


MLA

Elmas, Çağrı, and Nurşen Adak. “Post-Divorce Experiences in Türkiye and the Social Structures Behind the Reasons for Divorce.” İstanbul University Journal of Sociology, vol. 43, no. 1, 2023, pp. 84-97. [Database Container], https://doi.org/10.26650/SJ.2023.43.1.0030B


Vancouver

Elmas Ç, Adak N. Post-Divorce Experiences in Türkiye and the Social Structures Behind the Reasons for Divorce. İstanbul University Journal of Sociology [Internet]. 20 May. 2024 [cited 20 May. 2024];43(1):84-97. Available from: https://doi.org/10.26650/SJ.2023.43.1.0030B doi: 10.26650/SJ.2023.43.1.0030B


ISNAD

Elmas, Çağrı - Adak, Nurşen. “Post-Divorce Experiences in Türkiye and the Social Structures Behind the Reasons for Divorce”. İstanbul University Journal of Sociology 43/1 (May. 2024): 84-97. https://doi.org/10.26650/SJ.2023.43.1.0030B



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Submitted30.03.2023
Accepted12.07.2023
Published Online03.08.2023

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