Transformation of Polygamy in Modern Turkey: An Ethnographic Study

Abstract

This study aims to explore new ways of practicing polygamy in modern Turkey by considering transformation of family structure with modernity. It also elaborates on how people practicing modern polygamy in Turkey make sense of their experience at the intersection of various discourses. This study examines new forms of conceptualizing and practicing polygamy in modern life that is marked by high speed of urbanization, capitalism and the conflict between secular and religious lifestyles. It is conducted as an ethnographic study and semi-structured interviews are employed to collect data. The participants consist of six people engaged in polygamy in modern Turkey. The data are analyzed through discourse analysis. The findings of this research show that people practicing polygamy in modern Turkey resort to various discourses to justify and make sense of their experience along with the religious discourse. The study discloses that these polygamous people borrow certain terms and concepts from modern concept of love and marriage. It also reveals that these women make use of liberal discourse to describe their position in their marriage by depicting themselves as free-willed agents that look for their best interests and choose a life plan for themselves.