According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK), the fertility rate, which was 2.38 percent in 2001, fell to its lowest level of 1.51 in 2023. Between 2004 and 2023, there was an 89 percent increase in the number of divorces and a nearly 10 percent decrease in marriage rates. For these reasons, 2025 was declared the “Family Year.” On the occasion of February 14th Valentine’s Day, the Ministry of Family and Social Services also made a humorous post, saying, “If you love them, I think you should go marry them.” As of January, financial support packages for those who give birth and those who marry are also in effect. But what about social initiatives? Is it possible to strengthen the family and increase the birth rate solely through financial aid in a period when domestic violence against women is increasing? We discussed the issue with Üsküdar University Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, who also presented his field research to the ministry.
IF THIS CONTINUES, IN 20 YEARS, IT WON'T BE TURKISH BUT HOLLYWOOD CULTURE THAT DOMINATES
- What should we understand when we say "Family Year"?
The declaration of Family Year is actually a result of statistics. In Turkey, the population increased by only 51 thousand in 2023, and births decreased. Divorce rates increased, and marriage rates fell. I presented our statistics on this matter in Parliament three weeks ago. If no precautions are taken now, we will face a serious social crisis in this regard within the next 20 years. This is also true in Europe. However, we were not like them. The family was one of the safest areas in Turkey. We have started to lose this. If this continues, with the influence of social media and platforms, our children will be children of Hollywood culture, not Turkish culture, in 20 years. We are in an era where narcissism, selfishness, hedonism, loneliness, and unhappiness are rapidly spreading. When we speak of Family Year, we must understand that it means protecting our own values, and this should not remain just a discourse; it must be filled with substance.
OUR PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE AND MARRIAGE HAS CHANGED
- Including myself, most people either don't have children or settle for one child due to economic concerns. What do you think is the problem?
I think the main reason is not economic, but social. Of course, the economic situation and income inequality have an impact. However, the younger generation now receives cultural transmission not from the family but from social media, the internet, and digital platforms. The social impact is greater. A new 'pleasure' culture has emerged. "I live for the moment, earn for the moment, and spend and live as I please." There is now an egocentric, conformist, greedy perception of life. It's spreading like an epidemic. For this reason, the young generation sees marriage and family as a burden. Our philosophy of life and marriage has changed. We ask if society is degenerating... We need to look at our values.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT IS APPROPRIATE BUT NOT ENOUGH ON ITS OWN
- Looking at our values, it's evident there's a degeneration. For example, skiing in Bolu while dozens of lives were lost in a fire there...
“True. Morality is not genetic, culture is not genetic. It is transmitted through learning. Mating is biological, but marriage is cultural. Cultural acquisitions also happen through social learning. What are the values that make us who we are? Such as neighborliness, keeping one's word, not lying, sharing, not deceiving, being able to empathize with the weak, taking a stand against evil... There are weaknesses in these areas. The trivialization of evil is a major problem. For example, daytime women's programs. They are said to 'create awareness', but on the contrary, they lead to the trivialization of evil. For this reason, although the financial aid provided is very valuable, these and similar solutions are short-term. For long-term, permanent solutions, work should be done on social concepts. Our Ministry of Family has sufficient staff, but most are desk-bound. They should go out into the field, contact the public, conduct research, and policies should be determined based on the results.”
“Furthermore, the Ministry of National Education should also take ownership of this issue. Japan, for example, today teaches its own culture to elementary school-aged children. They teach all the values that sustain them, from etiquette to moral concepts. Ministries should work diligently not only for Sports but also for 'Youth', and not only for Tourism but also for 'Culture', and take ownership of this issue. I am not pessimistic. Let's catch up with this era, but let's not compromise on ourselves, that's enough!”
FIGHTING ADDICTION
“The issue of addiction also places dynamite under the family. Currently, there are 800,000 probation files. This means 2-3 million people including their families. There are just as many who do not resort to legal means. Work in this area should also be expanded.”
PEACEFUL FAMILY IS IMPORTANT
“A peaceful family environment is also very important. No matter how warm, safe, and peaceful a home is, a young person or child will eventually return to their nest, even if they experience problems. They take their own parents as an example. Fears about the future and marriage can only be eliminated in a safe and loving family environment.”
THERE SHOULD BE A MEDIATION SYSTEM IN MARRIAGE
- According to data from the We Will Stop Femicides Platform, last year, 394 femicides and 259 suspicious deaths occurred. Last month, family massacres occurred in Ankara, Tekirdağ, and Balıkesir. How possible is it to talk about family in such an environment?
“Divorce is a problem. As long as this problem is not solved, violence cannot be prevented. At this point, there should be a family mediation system. A system where lawyers, spiritual counselors, psychologists, social workers, and the parties work together. Of course, there should be no mediation with someone who uses violence, especially not by force. What I mean can be thought of as a pre-court stage. For those who are indecisive, in between, or unsure. Additionally, alimony should also be re-regulated. Someone who was married for 6 months should not pay lifelong alimony. This also makes marriage more difficult. Law No. 6284 should be re-regulated. Because the law has placed the solution to domestic and women's violence, again, on the side of violence. For example, issuing restraining orders, electronic tagging applications... These are currently being implemented. So, has violence decreased? No, it continues to increase. Because the man, at the first opportunity, does things that shouldn't happen, with the logic of 'I'll make him pay for this.' The relationship between women and men should not be a 'power' relationship. Of course, empowering women is very important. This can very well be achieved by providing economic freedom to women. The state should provide insurance and economic independence to every married, child-owning woman who works at home, not outside. This independence can be a woman's greatest strength.”