Patriarchal Authority and the Normalization of Violence: Local Actors’ Gender Narratives in Türkiye

This qualitative study examines how local actors in Türkiye construct gender norms and rationalize violence against women within everyday social discourse. Using a phenomenological approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 participants, including tradespeople, headpersons, and imams. Thematic analysis revealed three overarching themes: (1) locally produced gender regimes, shaped by exalted masculinity, sacred motherhood, stereotyped femininity, and controlled freedom; (2) family as a moral and social foundation, emphasizing traditional gender roles, male protective-disciplinary authority, and return-to-family narratives during crises; and (3) cultural rationalization of gender-based violence, including beliefs in “deserved” violence, social disorder as justification, and a perceived impossibility of change. Findings demonstrate how patriarchal norms are reproduced through everyday moral claims and social expectations, legitimizing gendered control and sustaining tolerance toward violence. The study contributes to ongoing debates on gender, power, and the cultural maintenance of violence by highlighting the role of local actors in reinforcing Türkiye’s gender order.