Prepared by the Academic Members of Near East University Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Yeniasır and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Burak Gökbulut “The Perception of Masculinity and its Socio-Cultural Functions in Turkish Culture from Ancient Epics to Modern Novels” has been published in the journal titled as “Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment” scanned by international indexes Web of Science and Scopus.

According to the press release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations of Near East University, the research conducted by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Yeniasır and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Burak Gökbulut involved the study of the changes and socio-cultural functions of the male characters in texts from the period from the first texts in Turkish literature to the modern novels of today.

It was pointed out that significant findings were achieved through the above mentioned study and also seen that in the pre-Islamic works, Oğuz Kağan and Bilge Kağan and after Islam, Kazan Bey, Köroğlu and Tahir were idealized. Furthermore, in all of the above texts, the male characters mentioned are strong and brave. Moreover, in his work titled "Types and Motifs in Turkish Epics" by Mehmet Yardimci, the bravery, nobleness and of Turkish heroes are indicated.

In the study, it is also observed that male characters other than Köroğlu are quite faithful; while the belief of the sky god (Shamanism) was present in the characters before Islam, the belief of Islam is naturally prevailed after Islam. Another important factor that attracts attention in both Oğuz Kağan and Kazan Bey, Bilge Kağan and Köroğlu is that all four men are interested in horses.

Turkish Male Structure showed significant change and development
Unlike the first novels, which started to be written in Turkish literature and were inspired by French literature, the influence of Western culture began to be seen when the Ottoman Empire entered the Westernization process. Additionally, it is also observed that the men here are almost entirely compatible with life.

In addition to the above, it is also observed that the male heroes in this period, unlike the past, often went to school and were educated. Again, it is noticed that especially in the Tanzimat and Servet-i Fünun periods, the characteristics of heroism and courage were not brought to the fore, in contrast to the pre-modern novels. On the contrary, it was revealed that the negative characteristics of the male characters in the two periods mentioned above were emphasized and a profile of male characters was formed, rather than men who looked after their families and protected them in the past. Therefore, it is possible to say that the life lived in that period was extremely effective especially in the formation of this character profile.

The bad situation that the Ottoman state fell into, naturally affected people and caused a profile of a trained but passive, shy, restless, pessimistic, unsuccessful, angry, and sometimes bad habits. Nezahat Özcan made a similar statement in his work titled "Similarities of Mumtaz and Mumtaz" and stated that Ahmet Cemil is a passive and pessimistic character.

As a result, it is possible to say that the Turkish male structure has shown a significant change and development from the first texts to the present day, and that Arab and Western cultures have played a particular role in the formation of this change and development.