Abstract:

This study aims to understand the household livelihood strategies of the urban poor in Gaziantep and how these strategies are shaped by being native or immigrant. For field research, semi-structured interviews were conducted with forty participants. The data obtained from the interviews reveal that the household livelihood strategies pointed out in the literature are also used by the urban poor in Gaziantep, however, these strategies differ between native and Syrian poor. Entering into the informal labor market, using women's and children's labor, reducing consumption and spending, relying on family and support networks, and seeking social assistance are common strategies for households of native and immigrant participants. However, these common strategies are applied differently by native and immigrant households. The cultural responses against women’s work outside of the household are harsher than the native participants’ households. Therefore, immigrants women’s work is limited to working in seasonal agricultural work, and doing piece-work at home. Another differentiating strategy is using child labor. Immigrant households are employing this strategy more intensely than native households. Another strategy employed more intensely in immigrant households is relying on family and kinship networks. Maintaining linkages with rural is peculiar to native participants’ households. Migrating another city or country is another strategy that was used or planned to be used by immigrant participants

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