ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONS OF IMMIGRANT FAMILIES WITH THEIR CHILDREN AND THEIR ADAPTATION PROCESS TO TURKEY

• Main Authors: Zeynep Nur AYDIN KILIÇ, Fatma TEZEL ŞAHİN
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Istanbul Aydın University 2021-07-01
• Series: The Turkish Online Journal of Design, Art and Communication
• Subjects: immigrant families; cultural differences; family relationships; adaptation process
• Online Access: http://www.tojdac.org/tojdac/HOME_files/tojdac_v011i03026.pdf

This research has been carried out to examine the relations of immigrant families who living in Turkey with their children and their adaptation process to Turkey. The research is designed according to qualitative research model. The study group of the research consisted of 22 immigrant families with children between the ages of 6-9 in Ankara province, Mamak, Polatlı, Çubuk and Keçiören Semi-structured interview form prepared by the researchers was used as a data collection tool in the study. The data obtained from the research which analyzed by thematic analysis method. The results of the research were examined under three themes: the relations of immigrant families with their children, the similarities and differences of immigrant families and Turkish families, and their adaptation process to Turkey. In the theme of the relations of immigrant families with their children; immigrant families generally spend time with their children while doing homework and studying; It was determined that immigrant families set rules against their children on various issues, generally took the opinions of their children on matters that concern only the child, rewarded their children's positive behavior, and reacted to negative behaviors with by angry and verbal warnings. In the theme of similarities and differences of immigrant families and Turkish families; immigrant families generally found Turkish family structure to be similar to their family structure, but this situation differed in terms of intra-family relations and discipline and they were of the opinion that they were more prescriptive and authoritarian than Turkish parents. Finally, in the theme of adaptation processes to Turkey, immigrant families; It was concluded that they generally adapted to Turkey due to reasons such as the good living conditions in Turkey and their learning Turkish. It was observed that immigrant children adapted to a greater extent and easier than their families, because they went to school, loved their friends and teachers, and learned Turkish. On the other hand, it has been concluded that the problems experienced by immigrant families and their children during the integration process are generally due to social exclusion and not speaking Turkish.