Fatherhood responsibilities and integration of children in host countries: A comparison of perceptions of refugee fathers living in Turkey and Germany

Asylum seekers and refugee fathers have to face severe challenges in their post-settlement process in host countries. In this process of settlement a father's perceptions about upbringing of children in a host country's environment, identity of fatherhood, his fears and impact of integration on his children would take shape. Present study gathers the overall response of fathers and difference in the responses of fathers living in Nuremberg and Ankara. Study evaluates the system of both host countries and it suggests what responsible authorities and especially social workers can do at micro, mezzo and macro level to help the vulnerable population. The study is designed using quantitative method and to collect data 38 participants from Nuremberg (Germany) and 38 participants from Ankara (Turkey) were surveyed. Questionnaire available in English, Arabic and Turkish language was made with 29 multiple choice questions and 2 open-ended questions. Result shows that needs of fathers living in Turkey are not fulfilled and most of them want to go back to home country if it is safe. Whereas fathers living in Germany are satisfied with their level of fulfilled needs and majority of them don't want to leave Germany. Religious upbringing of children is very important and is preferred over economic stability by fathers living in Turkey. Tendency of generativity related to religious and cultural teaching is higher in fathers who live in Turkey. While, fathers who live in Germany preferred economic stability and they give less importance to similarity of religious and cultural values of host and home country. Findings suggest that there is need of enough funds and controlled system to continue to help fulfill the basic needs of refugees in urban areas of Ankara. Social workers are required to identify and help fathers who live with thoughts of uncertain future, sadness, severe guilt and grief. Culturally sensitive workers are needed in Germany to assist asylum seekers in integration process.