ROOTED OTHERNESS: AN EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH TO WOMEN'S PLACE IN SOCIETY

In this research, the marginalization of women in society is examined through an experimental approach, using connections established with plants. Conducted using a qualitative research method, the study includes mandrake, desert shrub, rosemary, mesquite tree, datura plant, and apple tree. During the research process, the concept of the "other" was first analyzed, and women's identity was evaluated through this concept. Additionally, the role of plants in mythological narratives and their biological characteristics were examined in detail. Women, who are rendered invisible in society, are explored through analogies with plants, emphasizing the ways in which plants are associated with the female body and identity. The study highlights the ongoing conflict between women's pursuit of independence and traditional norms, investigating how the concept of the "other" has been constructed throughout history. In a philosophical and sociological context, it is observed that the "same" establishes itself at the center while excluding the "different," and this mechanism is particularly evident in its treatment of women.When examining how the ever-present concept of the "other" affects women, it is evident that in many cultures and historical periods, women have been positioned as the "other" when they do not conform to societal norms or challenge patriarchal structures. As Simone de Beauvoir states in The Second Gender, "Woman is the absolute Other and has been constructed as such." This statement illustrates how the concept of the "other" has been like a garment, changing across cultures and eras, yet women have consistently been designated as the "other" throughout history, regardless of time or culture. Under the influence of patriarchal structures, women have been socially confined within acceptable norms, while their disobedience has been labeled as dangerous or even demonic. In this context, parallels are drawn between the nature and mythological meanings of plants and the social positioning of women.

Keywords

The Other, Woman, Plant, Mythology