Gendering urban space : "Saturday mothers

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze gendering in urban space by using an urban movement, i.e. “Saturday Mothers” as a case study within the framework of gender and space. Acknowledging that gender and space mutually effect each other, this thesis explains the manifestation of gender difference in the urban and domestic realms. Main terms such as gender, urban space, and domestic space are analyzed. The specific focus is on how the Saturday Mothers broke the boundaries between the public and private realms. The use of Istiklal Street by the mothers provides the spatial emphasis of the study. By looking at the Saturday Mothers phenomenon specific modes of domesticating an urban space is illuminated. The study emphasizes, how urban space effected the mothers subjectivity and how the mothers effected urban space.