The “World of Women and Men Survey,” conducted by Üsküdar University and Method Research Company with 1,363 participants across 7 regions and 22 cities, provided a sociological snapshot of society.
Shedding light on some of the most private and most debated issues in society, the research revealed striking findings ranging from hygiene and sexuality to the glass ceiling in professional life and hidden power struggles within the family.
While 35 percent of men stated, “I am the head of the household,” 46 percent of women said “My spouse and I are equal.”
More than 90 percent of both women and men agreed that “Family is sacred.” A similar consensus was observed regarding marriage, with 81 percent of women and 79 percent of men agreeing that “Marriage is sacred.”
The results of the comprehensive “World of Women and Men Survey,” conducted nationwide under the leadership of Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Üsküdar University Prof. Deniz Ülke Kaynak and Deputy General Manager of Method Research Company Esengül Berişah, were announced to the public.
Face-to-face interviews with 761 men and 602 women in 7 regions and 22 cities
The large-scale study, designed to comparatively present the profiles of women and men in Türkiye, was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 761 men and 602 women across 7 regions and 22 cities.
Focusing on cleanliness and hygiene, physical health, psychological wellbeing, sexual life, and perspectives on marriage and family values, the study offered a detailed social analysis with notable results.
An examination of the participant profile revealed that 56 percent of women and 60 percent of men were married. In terms of education level, 35 percent of women and 32 percent of men were in the higher education group.
A hidden power struggle: men say, “I am the head of the household,” while women say, “We are equal”
While 35 percent of men said, “I am the head of the household,” 46 percent of women stated, “My spouse and I are equal.” For men, the home is primarily a place of rest and refuge, whereas for women it still includes elements of stress and ongoing responsibility.
Women are more hygienic
According to the findings focusing on hygiene and personal care, women wash their hands an average of nine times a day and maintain their care routines consistently. Men tend to fall behind in daily personal care, although they surpass women in shower frequency.
Women struggle to attain the positions they deserve
The study revealed a significant difference in perceived workplace status. The proportion of men who defined themselves as managers (29 percent) was nearly four times higher than that of women (8 percent).
While men generally feel respected in the workplace, women report difficulty in attaining the positions they believe they deserve.
In addition, although men consume more tobacco and alcohol, they tend to perceive themselves as healthier. Women, despite leading healthier lifestyles, struggle more with chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.
Family is sacred for both women and men
Despite all differences, society unites around one common value: family. More than 90 percent of both women and men agree that “Family is sacred.”
However, women seek formality and legal assurance in marriage, while men are more open to alternatives such as religious marriage ceremonies or cohabitation.
Women are more meticulous in personal care and hygiene
The research shows that women are more meticulous than men in personal care and hygiene. While 84 percent of women consider their personal care sufficient, this rate is 70 percent among men. Women wash their hands an average of nine times a day and brush their teeth 1.3 times, whereas men do so seven times and once respectively. Women are more active in deodorant and perfume use. However, men lead in shower frequency, showering an average of 5.3 times per week, compared to 4.5 times for women.
Women are more realistic and cautious about health
Although men have a more optimistic perception of their health, women display a more realistic and cautious outlook. While 78 percent of men feel healthy, this figure drops to 72 percent among women. Chronic illness rates stand at 24 percent for men and 32 percent for women, with hypertension and diabetes being more common among women. Men generally attribute health problems to lifestyle factors, whereas women directly associate them with illness. Men lead significantly in tobacco and alcohol consumption. Male smokers consume an average of 5.7 packs per week, compared to 5 packs among women. Alcohol consumption was reported by 31 percent of men, while this rate was 11 percent among women.
Forty six percent of women say “We are equal with our spouse”
When asked “Which statement best describes your role at home?”, 35 percent of men answered, “I am the head of the household,” while only 15 percent of women accepted this definition. While 46 percent of women said, “We are equal with my spouse,” this emphasis on equality dropped to 26 percent among men. Women (31 percent) were more likely than men (28 percent) to describe their presence at home as “I am respected”.
A refuge for men, but a work space for women
The home is perceived as the safest environment by both genders, with 86 percent of women and 85 percent of men feeling safe. However, 56 percent of men stated that they do not feel stressed at home, compared to 47 percent of women. Similarly, 64 percent of men reported feeling calm at home, while this rate was 55 percent among women. These findings suggest that while the home serves as a place of rest for men, it may still function as a space of ongoing responsibility for women.
Men say “I love more” …
The research also revealed gender differences in perceptions of romantic relationships. Among those in relationships, mutual love and commitment stood out as the dominant feeling (53 percent of women and 51 percent of men). However, 16 percent of men said “I love more,” compared to 8 percent of women. Approximately one fifth of society (20 percent of women and 17 percent of men) reported not having a romantic life.
The glass ceiling remains intact!
The study highlights how gender inequality in professional life is reflected in status and title distribution. Although 70 percent of employees are men and 30 percent are women, the most striking gap appears in decision making positions. When asked “Which statement best defines your role at work?”, 29 percent of men answered, “I am a manager,” while only 8 percent of women gave the same response. This clearly demonstrates the challenges women face in accessing leadership positions despite being present in the workforce, revealing the persistence of the glass ceiling effect.
Half of men say they are respected at work, the rate is lower among women
While nearly half of men (48 percent) state that they are “respected” in the workplace, only 31 percent of working women use the same expression. Similarly, 18 percent of men say that their opinions are taken into consideration during work processes, whereas this rate drops to 11 percent among women.
Sixty four percent of men are satisfied with their sexual lives
Findings related to sexual life and relationship history reveal differences between women and men in terms of both experience and satisfaction. Sixty four percent of men report being satisfied with their sexual lives, while this rate remains at 44 percent among women.
The average number of partners throughout life is reported as seven for men and two for women. A similar pattern appears in serious relationship experiences: men report an average of five serious relationships, while women report two.
Both women and men find marriage compatible with human nature
Men (78 percent) and women (74 percent) largely agree that the institution of marriage is compatible with human nature. However, notable differences emerge regarding polygamy: 11 percent of men support polygamy, compared to 5 percent of women. Women appear to be more cautious regarding fidelity. Nine percent of women believe they have been cheated on, while this rate is 7 percent among men. Additionally, 16 percent of men adopt the view that “The woman at home is the mother of my children, while the woman outside is the person with whom I experience sexuality,” indicating a tendency to separate marriage and sexuality.
More than ninety percent of participants say “Family is sacred”
Despite differences in lifestyles and habits, the final section of the research demonstrates that Turkish society strongly unites around the concept of family. Regardless of gender, nearly all participants regard family as an inviolable value. The statement “Family is sacred” is supported by 93 percent of men and 92 percent of women. A similar consensus is observed regarding marriage, with 81 percent of women and 79 percent of men agreeing that “Marriage is sacred.”
Women seek legal security and formality in marriage
The data show that men are more open than women to informal unions and alternative marriage models. While 29 percent of men support the view that “Marriage can take place only with a religious ceremony,” this rate falls to 14 percent among women. Similarly, 26 percent of men agree that it is possible to have children solely through a religious marriage, compared to 15 percent of women. A similar trend appears in modern relationships: 30 percent of men believe that couples can live together without marriage, while this view is shared by 19 percent of women. Men are also more flexible regarding having children outside of marriage (17 percent) compared to women (10 percent). These findings reveal that while women prioritize legal security and formality in marriage, men tend to favor more flexible models.
Traditional arranged marriage still maintains its validity
For both women (34 percent) and men (32 percent), the most common and socially accepted form of marriage is described as “We met on our own, reached an agreement, and our families approved.” Traditional arranged marriage still maintains its validity, with 31 percent of women and 22 percent of men reporting this form of union.
Esengül Berişah: “There is strong consensus on family, marriage, and shared life”
Esengül Berişah, Deputy General Manager of Method Research Company, stated that the “World of Women and Men Survey,” conducted in collaboration between Method Research Company and Üsküdar University, has provided an important perspective for understanding individuals, social values, expectations, and transformation by focusing first on young people, then men, and finally women over the years. Berişah emphasized that while the research reveals different life experiences for women and men across many domains, it also points to a strong consensus on fundamental issues such as family, marriage, and shared life.
Prof. Deniz Ülke Kaynak: “A social structure blending tradition and modernity is the most distinctive feature of our research”
Evaluating the findings, Prof. Deniz Ülke Kaynak, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Üsküdar University, stated: “Today, we are sharing with the public a study that summarizes the social lives of women and men and their approaches to social institutions. The results show that traditional institutions and the family, as the fundamental building block holding society together, continue to maintain their importance. People still move from the collective toward the individual to feel secure. Self-confidence tends to be higher among men, while the tendency toward self-sacrifice is higher among women. A social structure in which tradition and modernity are blended remains the most distinctive feature of all our research.”