The determination of femininity through biased gender norms: being a woman in Germany – a study on Turkish women

Purpose The aim of the study is to concretize how the prejudices against women in society shape being a woman and surviving as a woman through women’s own experiences. In this context this study analyzes how Turkish women living in Germany, a country with less gender prejudices than Türkiye in the Gender Social Norms Index, experience being a woman in Germany. Design/methodology/approach Face-to-face, in-depth interviews were conducted with 31 Turkish women living in Berlin for various reasons between June and September 2023. Findings It is seen that the Turkish women who make up the sample of the study responded to the questions asked to understand how living as a woman in Germany resonates with them by making a comparison based on being a woman in Türkiye. Therefore, it is understood that the answers are generally given with an approach based on whether “it is difficult to be a woman” in Türkiye or in Germany. The general conclusion of the study is that being a woman in Germany is much easier than being a woman in Türkiye, especially in the context of social prejudices against women in economic, political and social fields. Originality/value Considering the limited number of interdisciplinary studies on the relationship between biased gender norms and prejudice and discrimination against women and the gap in this field, it can be stated that this study is original in terms of revealing research trends on gender inequality and discrimination.