Unerfüllte Erwartungen

The relationship between migration, gender, social class, ethnic origin, and religion is explored through the experiences of two Turkish women living in Vienna. These two migrants illustrate the significance of migration, what they bring with them from their home country, and the factors that can drive migration. The findings clearly demonstrate that there is no uniform image of Turkish migrant women; rather, we are dealing with diverse life worlds. On one hand, there is the Turkish woman who is financially, legally, and socially dependent on her husband and more or less on familial pressures. Her migration experience is often characterized by isolation, crises, and disappointed hopes, especially in the initial period. On the other hand, there is also the Turkish woman who, largely detached from traditional values and norms, confidently and independently leads her life.