Local, Institutional, or Transnational? Social Networks of Russian Marriage Migrants in Turkey

DENİZ A., Ozgur E. M.

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF WOMENS STUDIES, vol.29, no.2, pp.347-363, 2022 (SSCI, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 29 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.1177/13505068211063605
  • Journal Name: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF WOMENS STUDIES
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, IBZ Online, International Bibliography of Social Sciences, Periodicals Index Online, Communication & Mass Media Index, Communication Abstracts, Educational research abstracts (ERA), Gender Studies Database, Index Islamicus, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Political Science Complete, Social services abstracts, Sociological abstracts, Worldwide Political Science Abstracts
  • Page Numbers: pp.347-363
  • Keywords: social networks, mixed marriages, Russian marriage migrants, Turkey, MIGRATION, WORKERS, IMMIGRANTS, VIOLENCE
  • Ankara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study focuses on the spatialization and institutionalization of social networks of Russian women who migrated to Turkey via marriage in the last 30 years. Specifically, it investigates how and why their social networks have been changing at the local and transnational levels. We conducted in-depth interviews with 56 women between 2014-2021. Our extensive analysis indicates that despite their newly established status via marriages, the Russian women have weak ties with the locals regardless of the migration period, preferring mostly to engage with other Russian women in Turkey. Even if the different migrant associations established by Russian migrants in Turkey do not actually aim this, they create an effect that increases the social distance with the host society and serves to strengthen the connection between the migrants. Also, unlike pioneer migrants, newer marriage migrants have established strong transnational ties with others living overseas, regardless of their gender or ethnic identity. Further, this study reveals that the migrant women's subjectivity, their spouses' benefit-oriented negotiation styles, and the state's diaspora policy all shape the women's social networks at different levels.