Migration Experiences of the Highly Skilled and Stay-at-Home Turkish Mothers in the UK

Abstract

This research aimed to explore the experiences of highly educated mothers who have left their jobs and immigrated to the UK because of their spouse’s job. The study investigated the barriers that these Turkish women may face in the UK within the scope of gender roles. In-depth interviews were held with 20 Turkish participants who met the research criteria. This research reveals that those highly educated Turkish women with advanced career success who took part in this research have not managed to break the cycle of traditional gender roles. It also shows that these women have taken care of their children and have established a harmonious family environment to assist their husbands’ careers. This study contributes to existing knowledge reported in previous studies. It extends our understanding that moving to the UK with their spouse has inevitably declined the participants’ career success and financial and social status.