The 'Women and Men's World Survey,' conducted by Üsküdar Üniversitesi and Method Research Company with 1,363 participants in 7 regions and 22 cities, took a sociological X-ray of society.
Shedding light on the most intimate and curious topics in society, the research revealed striking results, from hygiene to sexuality, from the glass ceiling in business life to the hidden power struggle within the family.
While 35% of men responded, 'I am the head of the household,' 46% of women say, 'My spouse and I are equal.'
Over 90% of both women and men agree on the view that 'Family is Sacred.' A similar consensus is observed in the institution of marriage; 81% of women and 79% of men agree that 'Marriage is sacred.'
The results of the comprehensive 'Women and Men's World Survey,' conducted nationwide under the leadership of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Dean Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Kaynak and Method Research Company Deputy General Manager Esengül Berişah, have been announced.
The survey was conducted face-to-face with 761 men and 602 women in 7 regions and 22 cities
The comprehensive study, carried out to comparatively reveal the profile of women and men in Turkey, was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 761 male and 602 female participants in 7 regions and 22 cities. The research, which took an X-ray of society under the headings of cleanliness and hygiene, physical health, psychological health, sexual life, and attitudes towards marriage and family values, revealed striking results. When the participant profile of the study was examined, it was seen that 56% of women and 60% of men were married; in terms of education level, 35% of women and 32% of men were in the higher education group.
Hidden power struggle: Men say "I'm the Chief," women say "We're Equal"
While 35% of men say, 'I am the head of the household,' 46% of women say, 'My spouse and I are equal.' While home is an area of rest and refuge for men, it still harbors some stress and extra work for women.
Women are more hygienic…
According to the research results, which also focused on hygiene and personal care, women wash their hands an average of 9 times a day and do not neglect their care routines; men lag a bit behind in daily care but surpass women in the frequency of showering.
Women struggle to find the position they deserve…
According to the study results, there is a significant difference in the perception of status in the workplace. The rate of men who define themselves as managers (29%) is almost 4 times that of women (8%)... While men feel "respected" at work, women struggle to find the position they deserve.
Furthermore, the study examining individuals' health status reveals striking differences between men and women. While men feel healthy despite consuming more cigarettes and alcohol; women, who live healthier lives, struggle more with chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes).
Family is sacred for both women and men!
Despite all these differences, society unites on one point: over 90% of both women and men agree on the view that 'Family is Sacred.' However, while women seek 'formality and assurance' in marriage, men are more open to alternatives like 'religious marriage' or 'cohabitation.'
Women are more meticulous in personal care and hygiene!
The research reveals that women are more meticulous than men regarding personal care and hygiene. While 84% of women find their self-care adequate, 70% of men consider themselves sufficient. Women wash their hands an average of 9 times a day and brush their teeth 1.3 times, while these numbers are 7 and 1 for men, respectively. Women are more active in using deodorant and perfume, but men surpass women in showering frequency with 5.3 times per week compared to women's 4.5. Men take the lead in showering frequency; while women shower an average of 4.5 times per week, men's average reaches 5.3.
Women are more realistic and cautious about health…
The research indicates that despite men being more optimistic in their health perception, women's health status is more realistic and cautious. While 78% of men feel healthy, this rate is 72% for women. The chronic disease rate is 24% for men and 32% for women; particularly, hypertension and diabetes are more common among women. Men generally attribute health problems to lifestyle, while women directly associate them with illness. According to the research results, men are clearly ahead in cigarette and alcohol consumption. Smoking men consume an average of 5.7 packs per week, while this average remains 5 packs for women. In alcohol use, 31% of men state they consume alcohol, while this rate is observed at 11% for women.
46% of women say "My spouse and I are equal"
To the question 'Which statement best defines your role at home?', 35% of men responded, 'I am the head of the household,' while the rate of women who accept this definition remains at only 15%. While 46% of women say, 'My spouse and I are equal,' the emphasis on equality drops to 26% among men. The rate of women defining their presence at home with the phrase 'My dignity is high' (31%) is seen to be higher than that of men (28%).
A refuge for men, a workspace for women…
The home environment is seen as the safest harbor for both genders. 86% of women and 85% of men feel 'safe.' While 56% of men state they do not feel stress at home, this rate remains at 47% for women. Similarly, while 64% of men say they feel 'calm' at home, this rate drops to 55% for women. These data indicate that home can be a 'resting place' for men, while for women, due to household responsibilities, it may still be a 'workspace.'
Men say, 'I love more'…
The research also reveals a difference in perception between genders in love life. While the feeling of 'mutual love and commitment' stands out among those in relationships (Women 53%, Men 51%), the rate of men who say 'I love more' is 16%, while this rate is 8% among women. Approximately one-fifth of society (Women 20%, Men 17%) does not have a love life.
The glass ceiling is not breaking!
The research reveals how gender inequality in business life is reflected in the distribution of status and titles. Although the rate of male employees is 70% and women is 30%, the real difference is seen in representation in decision-making positions. To the question 'Which statement best defines your role in the workplace?', 29% of men responded 'I am a manager,' while this rate remains at 8% for women. This situation highlights the difficulties women face in accessing leadership positions (the Glass Ceiling effect) even when they are present in business life.
Half of men say they have dignity at work, women's rate is lower
While almost half of men (48%) responded 'I have dignity' at work, only 31% of working women use this phrase. Similarly, while the rate of men who say 'They ask for my opinion' in work processes is 18%, this rate remains at 11% for women.
64% of men are satisfied with their sexual life
The research findings on sexual life and relationship history reveal differences between women and men in terms of both experience and satisfaction. While 64% of men state they are satisfied with their sexual life, this rate remains at 44% for women.
The average number of partners throughout their lives is stated as 7 for men and 2 for women. A similar picture emerges in serious relationship experiences; men state they have had an average of 5 serious relationships, while women state they have had 2.
Both women and men find marriage compatible with human nature…
While men (78%) and women (74%) agree on the view that the institution of marriage is compatible with human nature, differences are noteworthy regarding polygamy: 11% of men state they participate in polygamy, while this rate remains at 5% for women. Women are more cautious regarding fidelity; the rate of women who think they have been cheated on is 9%, while it is 7% for men. 16% of men adopt the view 'The woman at home is the mother of my children, the woman outside is the person I experience sexuality with,' indicating a tendency to evaluate marriage and sexuality separately.
Over 90% of participants say 'Family is sacred'
The final section of the research proved that, despite all differences in lifestyle and habits, Turkish society unites around the concept of family. Regardless of gender, almost all participants view family as an inviolable value. The rate of men who agree with the view 'Family is sacred' is measured at 93%, and women's rate is 92%. A similar consensus is observed in the institution of marriage; 81% of women and 79% of men agree that 'Marriage is sacred.'
Women want legal assurance and formality in marriage…
Data show that men are more receptive than women to informal partnerships and alternative marriage models. While 29% of men support the view 'Marriage can only happen with a religious ceremony (imam nikah),' this rate drops to 14% for women. Similarly, while 26% of men positively approach the idea 'Children can only be had with a religious ceremony,' this rate remains at 15% for women. A similar trend is observed in modern partnerships:
The rate of men who say 'Couples can live together even without marriage' is 30%, and 19% for women. Men's approach to having children out of wedlock (17%) is more flexible than women's (10%). These data reveal that while women prioritize 'legal assurance and formality' in marriage, men lean towards more flexible models.
Traditional 'arranged marriage' still holds its validity
While the most common and accepted form of marriage for both women (34%) and men (32%) participating in the survey was the option 'We met, agreed, and families approved,' traditional 'arranged marriage' still holds its validity; this rate is 31% for women and 22% for men.
Esengül Berişah: “There is a strong consensus in family, marriage, and cohabitation”
Method Research Company Deputy General Manager Esengül Berişah stated that the 'Women and Men's World Survey,' conducted in cooperation with Method Research Company and Üsküdar Üniversitesi, has provided an important perspective for understanding human beings, societal values, expectations, and transformation by focusing on youth, then men, and finally women over the years. Berişah noted that while the research reveals that women and men experience different things in many areas of life, it also points to a strong consensus on fundamental issues such as family, marriage, and cohabitation.
Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Kaynak: “A societal structure where traditional and modern are blended is the most prominent feature of all our research”
Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Kaynak, Dean of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, evaluating the research, said:
“Today, we are sharing with the public a research that summarizes the social lives of women and men and their approaches to social institutions. The result shows that traditional institutions and the family, as the fundamental cornerstone holding society together, still maintain their importance. People still gravitate from plural to singular to feel secure. Self-confidence is slightly higher in men, and the tendency for self-sacrifice is a little higher in women. A societal structure where the traditional and the modern are blended is the most prominent feature of all our research.”