Psychiatrist Dr. Kenan Eren explains: 'The real reason for femicides...'

Psychiatrist Dr. Kenan Eren made striking statements regarding the recent increase in violent incidents and femicides. Responding to questions from veteran journalist Tuncay Mollaveisoğlu on 12punto, Eren stated that violence cannot be explained fundamentally by psychiatric cases alone, and that socially learned patterns and values play a major role.

Eren noted that the impact of substance abuse is visible, especially in murders involving young people, stating, "It is not correct to explain these types of incidents with psychiatric cases. Values learned in society, culturally transmitted values, and social norms lie at the root of such incidents. Violence is more related to social and sociological dynamics than to psychiatric cases."

'NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT THE REAL REASON FOR FEMICIDES'

Stating that femicides occur with extraordinary frequency in Turkey, Dr. Eren said, "The real reason for femicides is not being discussed in this country. Femicides are committed simply because they are women. At the root of these murders lies how women are defined in society. However women are defined socially, these murders are based on that definition."

Dr. Eren stated that the concept of "honor," in particular, is effective in the increase of violence against women in society, and used the expressions, "The concept of honor is being shaped incorrectly in a social sense. How society defines women and the role it assigns to them constitute the reasons for violence."

'VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IS LINKED TO WHAT SOCIETY TEACHES'

Making important findings regarding the causes of violence against women, Dr. Eren also evaluated the relationship between violence and murders with psychiatric illnesses. "Only a portion of psychiatric cases commit crimes. For example, some patients with schizophrenia or severe psychosis commit violence, but such cases are very low in proportion. The main source of murders and violence is based on the behavioral patterns we learn in society," he said.

'VIOLENCE CANNOT BE PREVENTED WITHOUT CHANGING WHAT SOCIETY LEARNS'

Eren emphasized that social values must be changed to prevent social violence and murders. "As a society, it will not be possible to prevent this violence without changing negative attitudes toward violence and women. These values are learned from families, schools, and our environment from a very young age. Therefore, more awareness must be created to change social norms," he said.

TEXTS DEFINING WOMEN TRIGGER VIOLENCE

Dr. Eren stated that texts and cultural elements that influence the social definition of women are one of the root causes of violence. Dr. Kenan Eren said, "Women are defined by certain patterns in society from a young age. The texts written about women, the words we hear, and the behaviors we take as examples shape how we should approach women. This increases violence against women."

'TO COMBAT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, WE MUST QUESTION SOCIETY'S VALUES'

Finally, Dr. Eren pointed out that violence against women is a social problem and that this problem cannot be solved solely with psychiatric treatment. "Violence is more of a social problem than a psychiatric one. We must question and change society's values. Because violence is a form of behavior learned from society, and this form of behavior leads individuals to resort to violence," he said, emphasizing the importance of social awareness.