GENDER AND GOOD WOMAN-BAD WOMAN PERCEPTION IN KURDISH PROVERBS

Abstract

Proverbs are defined as short, meaningful, stereotyped and artistic words that reflect the experience, prejudices and superstitions of the society. It is possible to come across similar stereotypes in all societies and cultures around the world. There are thousands of proverbs on different subjects in Kurdish culture as well. These proverbs also reflect the economic, cultural, social and psychological situation of the Kurds. Gender perception and gender roles play a decisive role in daily life. Business and professional life is shared between women and men according to gender roles and continues traditionally. As in all areas of life, gender roles appear in Kurdish proverbs. A masculine language prevails throughout Kurdish proverbs and the image of good women and bad women is shaped within the framework of the patriarchal approach. This study focuses on the image of good women and bad women in Kurdish proverbs in the context of gender. For this purpose, thousands of verbal and written Kurdish proverbs from different sources were reviewed, and proverbs dealing with gender-based roles of women and men were determined. As a result, women who behave in accordance with the gender roles that society and especially men assign to women have the image of “good woman”. Women who oppose the gender roles assigned to them and act according to their individual will, feelings and thoughts have the image of “bad woman”.