Women are only supposed to be mothers for most of the population, especially for elderly people. Women are supposed to neither work nor have a social life. Women cannot go outside at late hours. Women cannot be leaders and they cannot be the best (at their work for example). Women are definitely not equal to men and they should be thankful, grateful to their man. Also, women must find a man and marry as soon as possible. One last thing, women cannot have an active sex life before marriage, even a boyfriend. Women must be pure and they have to wear conservative clothes. But [all] these rules are not strictly valid anymore. Only elderly people take these seriously. Young people (mostly Gen Z) hate these barriers and they fight these barriers so strictly.
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I've been luckier than most people in terms of parents, but still, when I think about it, I see the choices that were made by my parents were [influenced] by my gender. Most of these are to do with my safety, so I don't have the heart to blame them, but I do blame society. I am a woman in Turkey, and I can't do many things a man can, solely because of my gender. I can't be as bold as a man, can't stand up for myself as freely as a man, because I'm scared for my life. I can't be too confrontational, and can't be too chatty. What men think of me will affect my entire life, so if I trust the wrong men and make a mistake, I know it will follow me for a long time.
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Men are always tough in Turkey - as they taught them so - and they show their power on women. Sometimes in words, sometimes more. There was no violence in my home. But I know so many girls beaten by their own father, brother, husband. I hate that those same women - not the ones who are a little bit aware of their value - teach their sons to be tough, show their power, not to cry like a girl. I think our problems will never be solved unless boys can cry and girls can show their power.
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