Parenting in Turkey

Abstract

In the human development process, culture and surrounding social contexts shape and determine the unique and/or shared experiences that individuals and families have. Given its unique position and cultural composition, Turkey is often seen as a “bridge” between Asia and Europe, the East and the West. The rapid industrialization and westernization processes that Turkey has had in the last century are reflected in the changing values and practices in family life and parent-child relationships. The current chapter explains the historical and current social and cultural context that Turkish families experience and discuss how those are reflected in changing parenting values, norms, practices in Turkish culture. Lastly, the recent literature on Turkish parenting behaviors, parent-child interactions and child outcomes are organized with an individual and family developmental stage lens.