Family social policy in Turkey: An evaluation study

"Family Social Policy in Turkey: An Evaluation Study" PhD thesis, focuses critically on the current family social policies and practices in Turkey. In this research, in order to make family policies visible, national legislation and instruments such as the constitution, family-related laws, development plans, annual programs, government programs and budgetary laws examined by content analysis method and so family policy indicators have been identified. In addition, effective international declarations, conventions and treaties in developing and implementing family policy in Turkey were examined. In order to evaluate family policy, inspired by literature, an analysis model has been developed that contains family policy identity (purpose, scope, nature), development process, practice areas and effects. Afterwards, through qualitative research method, interviews were conducted with bureaucrats, practitioners, academicians, non-governmental organizations and politicians working in this field. According to research findings, families with disadvantaged and problems generally enters the coverage area of family policy in Turkey. Family policy does not develop according to the needs of the society and there is no participation of citizens on this issue. In addition, the services and assistance provided to families are perceived as a blessing. At the same time, family policy makes family members dependent on each other and the state and tries to preserve traditional family values, functions and traditional roles of women. The state, exchanges ideas with local governments, non-governmental organizations and international organizations in the process of family policy development, but in practice it has been realized that these organizations are not generally effective. On the other hand, current family policy in Republic of Turkey is mainly focused on social assistance. The development process, practice ways and feature of the current family policy in Turkey, was criticized by the participants. Keywords Social State, Social Policy, Family Policy, Policy Evaluation.