Türkiye'de Tek Anne Olarak Ebeveynlik Deneyimleri: Nitel Bir Araştırma

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışma, feminist sosyal hizmet perspektifinden, Türkiye'deki neoliberal-ataerkil refah bağlamında bekar annelerin görünmez bakım işleri, cinsiyete dayalı sorumluluklar ve duygusal tükenmişlikle nasıl başa çıktıklarını araştırmayı amaçlamıştır. Yöntem: Nitel bir araştırma tasarımı kullanılmıştır. Türkiye'nin bir büyükşehirinde yaşayan 14 bekar anne ile derinlemesine, yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler yapılmıştır. Katılımcılar, kadın destek ağları ve toplum örgütleri aracılığıyla amaçlı örnekleme yoluyla seçilmiştir. Görüşmeler ses kaydı alınmış, kelimesi kelimesine yazıya dökülmüş ve NVivo yazılımı ile içerik analizi kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. 14 görüşmeden sonra veri doygunluğu sağlanmıştır. Bulgular: Üç genel tema belirlendi: (1) Annelik bir anlam kaynağı olarak, (2) Cinsiyete dayalı sorumluluklar ve yapısal yükler ve (3) Tükenmişlik ve duygusal erozyon. Katılımcılar, anneliği duygusal güç ve anlamın temel kaynağı olarak tanımlarken, aynı zamanda yoğun ekonomik zorluklar, zaman yoksulluğu ve sosyal izolasyon yaşadıklarını belirttiler. Tek başına bakım yükü, algılanan "babanın yokluğunu" telafi etme çabaları ve sınırlı kurumsal destek, psikolojik ve fiziksel yorgunluğa, yetersizlik duygusuna ve geleceğe ilişkin kaygıya katkıda bulunmuştur. Sonuç: Türkiye'de tek başına annelik, bakımı özelleştiren ve kadınların ücretsiz emeğini yoğunlaştıran kesişen neoliberal ve ataerkil yapılar tarafından şekillenmektedir. Annelik duygusal anlam ve dayanıklılık sağlasa da, bu kaynaklar yapısal kırılganlıkları dengelemek için yetersizdir.

Keywords

• Tek Ebeveynli annelik
• Feminist sosyal hizmet
• Görünmez bakım emeği;
• Tükenmişlik

Parenting Experiences as a Single Mother in Türkiye: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to explore how single mothers navigate invisible care labour, gendered responsibilities, and emotional exhaustion within a neoliberal–patriarchal welfare context in Türkiye, from a feminist social work perspective. Method: A qualitative study design was employed. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 single mothers living in a metropolitan city in Türkiye. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling via women’s support networks and community organizations. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using content analysis with NVivo software. Data saturation was achieved after 14 interviews. Results: Three overarching themes were identified: (1) Motherhood as a Source of Meaning, (2) Gendered Responsibilities and Structural Burdens, and (3) Burnout and Emotional Erosion. Participants described motherhood as a key source of emotional strength and meaning, while simultaneously experiencing intensified economic hardship, time poverty, and social isolation. The burden of sole caregiving, efforts to compensate for the perceived “absence of a father,” and limited institutional support contributed to psychological and physical exhaustion, feelings of inadequacy, and future-related anxiety. Conclusion: Single motherhood in Türkiye is shaped by intersecting neoliberal and patriarchal structures that privatize care and intensify women’s unpaid labour. Although motherhood provides emotional meaning and resilience, these resources are insufficient to counterbalance structural vulnerabilities.

Keywords

• Single motherhood
• Feminist social work
• Invisible care labour
• Burnout

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