Women’s Domestic Spatial Experiences Through Privacy, Personal Space, and Belonging: A Gendered Perspective

This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of women’s spatial experiences within domestic settings across different geographical regions of Turkey, through the lens of gender. It focuses specifically on the themes of privacy, personal space, and a sense of belonging. In-depth interviews were conducted either face-to-face or online with 66 women aged between 20 and 80 residing in various regions of the country. During the interviews, participants responded to questions regarding their demographic characteristics, features of their residences and surrounding environments, spatial practices, and the meaning they attribute to the home. The research employed qualitative methods, including literature review, direct observation, and audio-recorded interviews as data collection tools. A descriptive analysis approach was adopted to examine the data. Grounded in the thematic framework of privacy, personal space, and belonging, the study presents an original contribution by exploring the symbolic and experiential meanings ascribed to the home. The findings reveal that gender roles not only shape women’s social positions but also influence their spatial relationships within the domestic environment. Moreover, the study underscores the impact of the physical environment on women's sensory comfort in the home.