Framing, culture, and social movements: A comparison of feminist and Islamist women\u27s movements in Turkey

This study examines frame construction within and frame disputes between feminist and Islamist women\u27s movements in Turkey. Data were gathered using documentary analysis and in-depth interviews with twenty feminists and twenty Islamist women. Feminist and Islamist women\u27s groups have formed collective identities based on “we” vs. “them.” However, in contrast to the literature in framing, findings show that frame construction is not limited to building group identity. Formation of public images is also part of this process. While feminists have portrayed themselves as leaders, rebels, and heroines, Islamist women have framed themselves as martyrs. “Image formation” can be examined through an analysis of rhetoric. The rhetoric of feminists has shaped their public image as rebels who have challenged traditional cultural values and norms. Islamist women, however, have developed a tone that perpetuated their image as martyrs. This tone, accompanied by a polemical one, indicates their attempt to engage in “frame resonance” with respect to the experiences of their followers. They have criticized western-originated modern capitalist values, which, according to Islamists, created feminism, and introduced Islamism as a moral choice. Both women\u27s groups have engaged in frame disputes over women\u27s issues. They have framed each other in ways that highlight their differences from each other and that offer their positions as alternatives. While feminists have framed Islamists as “backward,” Islamist women have framed feminists as “immoral.” Originating in different social classes, members of two groups have had limited contact. Nevertheless, there has been some mutual influence. For example, under the influence of feminism, Islamist women have modified their position on certain issues. Both women\u27s movements have also been affected by related movements in other countries that have produced master frames. Content analysis of newspaper articles shows that pro-secular printed media, concerned by the implications of Islamist ideology, have increased their support for feminism over the years. Findings from this study regarding framing, political opportunities, and resources reveal that multiple factors should be examined when studying social movements. The study also highlights the importance of comparative studies in revealing information that would otherwise be overlooked