Contested Masculinities in Everyday Istanbul City Life: Civil, Political Institutions and Culture Centers in Tarlabasi as Learning Centers

Author(s):

Nil Mutluer

Conference:

ECER 2008

Network:

7. Social Justice and Intercultural Education

Format:

Paper

Session Information

07 SES 09B, Multi-Ethnic Complexities

Paper Session

Time:

2008-09-12

10:30-12:00

Room:

B1 113

Chair:

Francesca Gobbo

Contribution

Everyday interactions at the center of contemporary Istanbul, Tarlabaşı district, with its composition that constitutes the intersectionality of gender, ethnicity, nationalism, sexuality and class, lead internally displaced Kurdish men to develop discourses and tactics which oscillate between modern and traditional, urban and rural, and Kurdish and Turkish nationalist practices, ideas and values. City spaces like civil, political institutions and culture centers play crucial role in the identification process of Kurdish men and women in their everyday life in the city. The social and political characteristics of these institutions and centers, and the power loaded relations among its members from various backgrounds; such as gender, ethnicity, class, social status, age and occupation, shape the learning and socialization process of its members. In addition, these institutions and centers are connected to the everyday life of city especially in districts such as Tarlabasi, which is both a neighborhood at the city center and very isolated from the city because of its power loaded formal and informal relations.

Method

The methodology of the research is based on ethnographic methodology (in-depth interviews, focused group interviews, participant observation, and life stories) and archival research (official state documents, non-governmental organizations' documents and publications, newspapers and journals).

Expected Outcomes

Examining the learning and the socialization process in these institutions and centers enable us to comprehend the power loaded relations based on gender, ethnicity, sexuality, nationalism, status, age in Tarlabasi. Moreover, it allow us to analyze how the courses, activities and relations in these institutions and centers shape the identification process of IDP men.

References

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Author Information

Nil Mutluer

Central European University, Budapest, Hungary

Gender Studies

Istanbul

212

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