Marriage experience of families of children with special needs and social policy priorities for the families in the context of gender based approach

The general aim of this study is trying to investigate the marriage experience of special needs children families in the context of gender based approach and so determine social policy priorities for the families. In this context, the study has both theoretical and practical features. This co-method study carried out by using the descriptive survey model was conducted in Ankara. The sampling was carried out with the cluster sampling method. The study group consisted of 120 families (120 women and 120 men, a total of 240 parents) of children with special needs who served from İlk Esen Private Education and Rehabilitation Center. The data were collected by ''face-to-face interview method'' with ''semi-structured family interview form'' and ''Marriage Life Scale''. As the study was done with mixed methodology, the data were analyzed with descriptive and statistical analysis methods. The main findings show that all socio-demographic characteristics, gender roles, share tasks, and exertion of nursing of the participants with special needs children affect their marriage experience on the basis of gender. This study resulted in the existing of gender inequality in families with special needs children and the need for alternative social policy practices to the families. For this reason, it is important to develop social policies for these families on the basis of gender equality.