Due to the ongoing conflicts in Syria over the last nine years, millions of people have left their homes and took refuge in neighboring and non-neighboring countries. Turkey ranks first among the countries hosting Syrian asylum seekers. Depending on the specific social conditions of the cities where asylum seekers live intensively, the difficulties that asylum seekers may face differ. Undoubtedly, it can be stated that women face much greater problems than men during the escape from war or the migration process and in the country of asylum. In the study, it was aimed to examine Syrian women whether they were exposed to othering, discriminatory discourses and behaviors due to being women only during the interactions in daily life, based on the discourses of the local people. In this context, Mardin province, which is one of the settlements in the border region where the daily encounters and interactions between Syrian asylum seekers and local people is high, was selected as the research area. In the research, indepth interview technique was used in the context of qualitative method. In this direction, in-depth interviews were conducted with 36 local people living in Mardin's city centre and Kızıltepe district. According to the findings, Syrian female asylum seekers may be exposed to discrimination and exclusion due to some gender-based prejudices and stigmatization, mostly through gossip and rumors. In fact, some prejudices, negative images and stigmas, which have become widespread in society, lead Syrian women to be subjected to moral exclusion as another form of exclusion, which may at times be harsher than discrimination and social exclusion.
International or foreign student migration is one of the topics that started to become a hot topic in many different countries because of various aspects. Lately, Turkey, especially in terms of higher education, can be seen as a country that sends students to study abroad but also attracts foreign students. With regard to Adnan Menderes University which is located in a medium-sized city (Aydın), the main focus of this study is based on experiences of foreign students regarding prejudice, discrimination and racism. In addition to this, the topics such as to what extent are foreign students having difficulty to adapt to the life in Turkey, to what extent are the students satisfied with their lives in the country, in what way could foreign students who currently study in Turkey help to increase the foreign student population or sustain the student migration were examined. In this context, six different categories, such as students from Africa, Asia, South Caucasia, Middle East, Europe/Balkans and Europe/Other, were created. Surveys were applied to participants of the study group in line with a quantitative research scope.
The Conditions of Living with Different Cultural Identities: Is a Common Social Life Possible? The diversity of cultural life styles is increasing day by day. Lifestyles can differ on an economic, ethnic, cultural or religious basis. How we perceive different lifestyles and cultural identities can make it easier or harder for us to live together. We are in contact with many people who have different cultures and identities in everyday life. Today, individuals with different cultures, identities or lifestyles encounter each other more and more. This brings about economic, social, cultural and political changes or problems. Therefore, living together without conflict is a matter of concern to all of us. In this study, the issue of how to avoid conflicts between individuals or groups with different languages, beliefs, cultures and habits is discussed on a theoretical and conceptual basis. It also focuses on how it is possible to establish a practice of coexistence or living together on a healthy ground for the resolution of problems arising from value differentiation. In this framework, the stereotypes, prejudices and discriminatory thoughts or behaviors of individuals with different social values are in fact important factors that make living together difficult. The factors such as the perception of different views as a threat, the presence of prejudice and stereotypes, and the fact that differences are not seen as a natural thing are the obstacles to live together. In addition, the concept of tolerance which is seen as a prerequisite in the multicultural paradigm, appears to be inadequate as the key to living together. At this point, Levinas (1995) suggests an approach that both preserves diversity or differences and cares about the relationship. Therefore, we should not allow our fears and doubts about the other to lead us. Moreover, it is necessary not to fall into the trap of excessive glorification and blessing of differences as with many postmodern approaches. In this context, it is necessary to realize the mutual understanding-recognition perspective and dialogue process in order to live together.
Today, in many European countries and other Western societies, xenophobia, and racist acts has become increasingly visible. In this sense, xenophobic attitudes and racial-based acts of violence in many European countries are on the rise. In many countries, security-based policies and extreme right-wing discourses are increasing due to rising xenophobia. In many European countries, the fact that the extreme right political parties are attracted more attention by citizens leads to a more difficult life for those who are foreign in those societies. Undoubtedly, the aggressive rhetoric of the extreme right parties reinforces and provokes an increasing fear of foreigners, xenophobia and racial-based discriminatory actions in societies. As a matter of fact, attitudes and behaviors towards foreigners are becoming more and more offensive, hurting and marginalizing. In this context, the historical and cultural dimensions of xenophobia and racist attitudes, which have increased and become more visible in many Western countries, are discussed on a sociological basis. In this direction, the rise of extreme right political parties observed in these societies, increasing xenophobia and the current outlook of the racist actions, causes and consequences are handled with a critical approach.
Recently, both in Turkey and the international arena, there has been a remarkable increase in the number and visibility of women among students and academic personnel, particularly in specific areas of higher education. In this respect, this article provides a gender-based picture of students and academic personnel in undergraduate and graduate sociology programs in Turkey and identifies the direction of the gender-based changes in these programs over the last 20 years in quantitative/demographic terms. The article also attempts to assess, within the framework of qualitative/cultural changes, the current and potential changes and transformations in the methodological practices of the discipline, as well as in the discipline’s present and future basic fields of interest and study. To this end, and within the scope of discussions in the literature regarding the feminization of certain academic disciplines, the article focuses on where sociology in Turkey currently stands in this respect, and on possible future scenarios regarding this discipline.
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