Üsküdar University Reminds the "Family Manifesto" in the 2025 "Year of the Family"!

With the declaration of 2025 as the "Year of the Family" in Türkiye, the importance of the family institution is once again on the agenda. The 10-point "Family Manifesto," published five years ago by Üsküdar University and NPİSTANBUL Hospital Family Working Group, is once again drawing attention in this special year. The manifesto contains important messages for both individuals and society to protect the family structure.

To raise awareness across all segments of society, 2025 has been declared the "Year of the Family" in Türkiye. The 10-point "Family Manifesto," published five years ago by Üsküdar University and NPİSTANBUL Hospital Family Working Group, is once again coming into focus in this special year.

Üsküdar University's "Family Manifesto" highlights how critical the family institution is, not only for individuals but for the future of society as a whole.

The "Year of the Family" offers a significant opportunity for individuals and social actors to become more conscious of this issue.

The continuity of the family institution is in danger!

The first point of the manifesto, which contains important messages for both individuals and society to protect the family structure, warns that "the continuity of the family institution is in danger," and the manifesto stated the following:

"We are facing the reality that globally, the continuity of the family institution fails at a rate of over 50%. We consider this a serious threat. Against ideologies claiming that the family is a 'traditional imposition' and that the sacred element is the individual, we must present our evidence-based declaration."

The family meets the fundamental needs of humanity!

The manifesto emphasizes that:

"The family institution is an essential evolutionary step and a crucial discovery in human socialization, as suggested by evolutionary psychology. Pairing is biological and primitive, whereas marriage is psychological and cultural, related to the level of development."

"The family is the fundamental institution that meets humanity's basic needs for secure living, emotional sharing, and social support, as stated in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Psychosocial Needs." "As proven by neuroscience and the Science of Happiness (Positive Psychology), humans are relational beings and are not programmed for solitary living. Therefore, 'cooperation' is the key concept that benefits individuals."

5S and 1M: The Formula for Family Values

The manifesto asserts the following statements:

"Relationship management within the family should be complementary-oriented rather than competition-oriented. One of the major reasons why loneliness has become the nightmare of modernity is the weakening of family bonds, and social transformation is impossible without mental transformation. The key family values can be summarized in the formula '5S and 1M' (Love, Respect, Loyalty, Patience, Sincerity, and Moral Accumulation), and efforts should be made to strengthen these values."

It is not too late; a collective action is necessary!

The manifesto highlights that “A child's greatest fortune is growing up in a peaceful, secure, and goal-oriented family. If necessary precautions are not taken, the increase in crime, violence, addiction, and mental illnesses in society will be inevitable. The dynamic family is the foundation of a dynamic society. Despite everything, it is not too late. The current course can be corrected with short, medium, and long-term plans. This requires not only the state but also individuals and NGOs to engage in collective reasoning."

To access the full version of the manifesto please click here.

Üsküdar News Agency (ÜHA)