Turkish Single-Mother Families in Germany: Support Systems and Acculturation Orientations

Abstract

Turkish diaspora families in Europe maintain strong family structures and intergenerational ties, which facilitate the transmission of cultural values to future generations. However, they are not immune to the broader transformations and challenges reshaping family life worldwide. This study aims to examine the impact of family transformation on the Turkish diaspora in Germany, with a particular focus on single-mother households. Based on qualitative interviews with fifteen Turkish immigrant women who became single parents due to divorce, the study identifies the key challenges and needs of these families and analyzes the support systems they engage with to address them. Findings show that single mothers primarily require guidance, housing, and educational support for their children. They initially rely on immediate social networks and later on Turkish community networks and associations, yet this process often produces feelings of exclusion and unmet expectations. In contrast, German institutions and society are evaluated more positively due to their respect for individual boundaries and the support they provide. These experiences play an important role in shaping women’s acculturation orientations in child-rearing practices.

Keywords

• Turkish diaspora
• Germany
• immigrant women
• single-mother family
• acculturation orientations

Almanya’daki Türk Tek Anneli Aileler: Destek Sistemleri ve Kültürleşme Oryantasyonları

Abstract

Avrupa’daki Türk diasporası aileleri, güçlü aile yapıları ve kuşaklar arası bağları sayesinde kültürel değerlerin gelecek nesillere aktarımını kolaylaştırmaktadır. Bununla birlikte, bu aileler dünya genelinde aile yaşamını yeniden şekillendiren dönüşümler ve beraberinde gelen zorluklardan muaf değildir. Bu çalışma, özellikle tek anneli ailelere odaklanarak Almanya’daki Türk kökenli ailelerde yaşanan dönüşümün yansımalarını incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Boşanma sonrası tek ebeveyn olan on beş Türk göçmen kadınla gerçekleştirilen nitel görüşmelere dayanan araştırma, bu ailelerin temel ihtiyaç ve zorluk alanlarını belirlemekte ve başvurulan destek sistemlerini analiz etmektedir. Bulgular, tek annelerin öncelikle rehberlik, barınma ve çocukları için eğitim desteğine ihtiyaç duyduklarını göstermektedir. Kadınlar bu ihtiyaçları karşılamak için önce yakın sosyal ağlarına, ardından Türk topluluk ağları ve derneklerine başvurmaktadır. Ancak bu süreç çoğu zaman dışlanma duygusu ve beklentilerin karşılanmamasıyla sonuçlanmaktadır. Buna karşılık, Alman kurumları ve toplumu, bireysel sınırlara gösterdikleri saygı ve sağladıkları destekler nedeniyle daha olumlu değerlendirilmektedir. Bu deneyimler, kadınların çocuk yetiştirme pratiklerinde benimsedikleri kültürel uyum oryantasyonlarının şekillenmesinde önemli rol oynamaktadır.

Keywords

• Türk diasporası
• Almanya
• göçmen kadın
• tek anneli aile
• kültürleşme oryantasyonu

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