Turkish Cypriot Women’s Migration Experiences and Psychological Resilience: Case Narratives from North Cyprus

Öz

Prior to and during the 1974 war in Cyprus, political turmoil led to the internal displacement of many Turkish and Greek Cypriots while many lost their lives. This exploratory qualitative study aimed to examine the experiences of Turkish Cypriot women who migrated from the south of Cyprus to the north during this era. A brief historical background of the political turmoil experienced on the island was presented where many island inhabitants were forced to migrate from the South to the North. Experiences associated with forced migration and the multitude of impacts on these people’s lives were also examined. Although experiences and generational trauma are transmitted to the next generations, this information tends to stay within the family circle and then disappear when the sources are no longer with us. Experiences, valued lessons, strategies developed to stay alive, and skills learned carry great value and must be shared to aid in the empowerment of future generations. For this study, a total of five Turkish Cypriot women were interviewed. These interviews were recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed to determine common themes. Themes like adaptation, being a woman, maintaining hope, perceptions of the current generation (their children and grandchildren), and recommendations for future generations were found. While participant experiences were documented, various generational differences were also examined within this context.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• women
• trauma transmission
• resilience
• generational differences
• Cyprus

Kıbrıslı Türk Kadınların Göç Deneyimleri ve Psikolojik Dayanıklılıkları: Kuzey Kıbrıs'tan Vaka Öyküleri

Öz

1974 yılının öncesinde ve senesinde Kıbrıs’ta yaşanan savaş ve siyasi çalkalanma nedeniyle bir Çok Kıbrıslı Türk ve Rum yaşadıkları bölgelerden göç etmelerine neden olurken, bir çok insan da hayatını kaybetti. Bu nitel keşif çalışması bu dönemde Güney Kıbrıs’tan Kuzey Kıbrıs’a göç etmek zorunda kalan Kıbrıslı Türk kadınların yaşadıklarını incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Zorunlu göç ile ilgili deneyimlerin yanı sıra kadınların hayatlarındaki etkilerin büyüklüğü de incelenmiştir. Her ne kadar deneyimler ve jenerasyonlar arası travmalar bir sonraki jenerasyona aktarılıyor olsa da ailenin içinde bulunan büyüklerimiz aramızdan ayrıldıklarında bu bilgiler de onlarla birlikte yok olmaktadır. Deneyimler, değerli öğretiler, hayatta kalmak için gelişitirlen stratejiler ve kazanılan beceriler son derece kıymetli olup gelecek nesillerle paylaşılmalıdır ki güçlü olsunlar. Bu çalışmada toplamda beş Kıbrıslı Türk kadınla görüşülmüştür. Bu görüşmeler kayıt altına alındı, deşifresi yapıldı ve ortak temaların bulunabilmesi için de tematik analiz yöntemiyle incelenmiştir. Uyum sağlama, kadın olmak, umudu kaybetmemek, yeni nesile (kendi çocukları ve torunlarına) karşı olan bakış açısı ve gelecek nesiller için öneri temaları tespit edilmiştir. Her ne kadar katılımcı deneyimleri incelenmiş olsa da nesiller arasındaki farklılıklar da irdelenmiştir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• kadın
• travma aktarımı
• psikolojik dayanıklılık
• nesil farklılıkları
• Kıbrıs

Kaynakça

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