Local government services for children: Sample of Esenler Municipality

When historical process of the concept of "child" is considered it can be seen that this concept is underestimated in Europe for a long period and until the last century there have not been carried out any study. During this period it can be understand that children were perceived as miniatur adults and childhood was not accepted as a special stage. Therefore it has led to unestablisment of appropriate approaches for children. In our time, childhood is seen as an important and critical stage of human life. However some dangerous elements for childhood are stil existing. One of these negative elements is fast urbanization. With urbanization, playgrounds and socialization places for children are becoming limited. Moreover, substance abuse, child labour, robbery, and peer groups who are the reason for other bad habits in cities are other negative factors for children. This study focuses on the question that what kind of activities are carried out for children by local governments especially municipality in order to solve above mentioned problems. In the study Esenler municipality was chosen as the sample. Within the study, activity reports in 2016 of all municipalities especially metropolitan municipalities were investigated and a general table of them is derived. After creating such a table, last five years' activity reports of Esenler Municipality, its formal web site and strategical reports were investigated. Furthermore, interviews with 5 persons working in the municipality were conducted and added to the study. As a result of the study, it was understood that many activities regarding environment monitoring, culture, art, sports, education, health, and social aid are handled by municipalities. It was seen that the aim of these activities are to prevent children from crimes, make them abled for socialization, create communication between generations, and provide them to grew as wholesome persons.