Perception on fatherhood and paternal leave in Turkey

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Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Fen Edebiyat Fakültesi, Sosyoloji Bölümü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2017

Öğrenci: FEYZA SUMER TANYERİ

Danışman: FATMA UMUT BEŞPINAR AKGÜNER

Özet:

The objective of this study is to understand the perception of fatherhood and daily practices of new generation Turkish fathers under 40 years old and to identify the needs of fathers in the scope of the current social policies in Turkey. Cross-country analysis is made and on-going best practices on paternal leave is examined by looking at five countries in detail. Moreover, current national policies are discussed on a historical basis and developments on relevant social policies are analysed. Semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted with nineteen highly educated, middle-class fathers under 40 years old from April 2014 to December 2015. As a result of the study, the main finding is that although fathers from new generation have different practices and perception on fatherhood compared to previous generations, they have limited requests at the policy level. Social, cultural and individual reasons are discussed in detail and policy recommendations are provided.