Üsküdar University Department of Sociology Faculty Member Prof. Ebulfez Süleymanlı sociologically evaluated the 'summer holiday syndrome,' which expresses how the need for rest can turn into social pressure.
Holiday no longer just means rest!
Prof. Ebulfez Süleymanlı stated that the closing of schools, the start of annual leave periods, and the intense pace of city life increase families' expectation for rest during the summer months, adding, 'However, today, holidays no longer mean just resting, spending time as a family, or escaping the daily grind. Holidays are transforming into a multifaceted social issue where economic means, social environment, children's expectations, digital visibility, and consumer culture intersect.'
Prof. Ebulfez Süleymanlı, stating that this situation, which can be expressed as 'summer holiday syndrome,' is not only an individual concern but also a sociological phenomenon, said, 'Summer holidays are increasingly gaining symbolic meaning in modern society. Holidays are no longer just a period that meets the need for physical and mental rest; they are also transforming into an area associated with how one appears in their social circle. People sometimes try to make holiday plans not to truly rest, but to avoid appearing inadequate in the eyes of others. This situation weakens the natural meaning of holidays.'
We make social comparisons, engaging in conspicuous consumption…
Prof. Süleymanlı stated that holidays are increasingly becoming an important part of consumer culture, noting that hotel preferences, cities visited, international trips, and photos shared on social media can be perceived as status symbols.
Prof. Süleymanlı noted that this situation can be explained sociologically with the concepts of 'conspicuous consumption' and 'social comparison,' adding, 'People can develop holiday expectations not only according to their own needs but also by looking at what others are doing.'
Comparison on social media increases anxiety…
Prof. Süleymanlı stated that social media platforms virtually turn into a 'holiday display' during the summer months, pointing out that shared holiday images often reflect only selected and embellished moments of life.
Prof. Süleymanlı said, 'Beachside photos, luxury hotels, international trips, and images of perfect family holidays can increase feelings of inadequacy, especially among low and middle-income families. When a person starts comparing their own life with selected images of others, the holiday becomes a source of anxiety, not relaxation.'
One of the invisible family tensions…
Emphasizing that 'summer holiday syndrome' is more pronounced in families with children, Prof. Süleymanlı said that children witness different holiday experiences through their friends and digital environments, which can increase family expectations.
Prof. Süleymanlı stated, 'When a child sees their friend going to the sea, camping, or abroad, they may expect a similar experience from their own family. Parents, on the other hand, neither want their child to experience a feeling of inadequacy nor are unaware of the limits of the family budget. This dilemma is one of the invisible family tensions of the summer months.'
Holiday can turn into an economic test
Prof. Süleymanlı stated that increasing holiday costs constitute a serious burden for many families, adding that transportation, accommodation, food and drink, beach and facility fees, and additional activities for children turn a short period of rest into significant economic planning.
Prof. Süleymanlı said, 'Some families may turn to credit card debts, installment packages, or personal loans to make their children happy or not to fall behind their social circle. In this case, a contradiction arises between the purpose and outcome of the holiday: a holiday taken for rest can turn into a new source of debt and stress upon return.'
Summer holiday is also a matter of social policy
Prof. Süleymanlı stated that the issue of summer holidays should not be seen merely as an individual budget or family preference, expressing that this matter is directly related to child welfare, urban planning, local government services, working life, and the concept of a welfare state.
Prof. Süleymanlı said, 'Not every family can go to an expensive hotel or a distant holiday resort. However, every child should have access to a safe, meaningful, and developmental summer environment. Parks, libraries, sports areas, youth centers, culture and arts events, municipal summer schools, and affordable camps are of great importance in this regard.'
Summer camps and summer schools should be accessible
Prof. Süleymanlı stated that summer camps and summer schools are important for children's socialization, self-confidence building, and acquiring new skills, warning that if these opportunities are only open to children from high-income families, they could increase social inequalities.
Prof. Süleymanlı stated that municipalities, schools, universities, non-governmental organizations, and relevant public institutions should develop more affordable, safe, and qualified summer programs.
We should re-evaluate our understanding of holidays
Prof. Süleymanlı, pointing out that we need to re-evaluate our understanding of holidays both individually and societally against 'summer holiday syndrome,' said, 'Evaluating holidays merely as going to a distant place, staying in an expensive hotel, or producing photos to be shared on social media turns rest into part of the consumption race. Therefore, it is necessary to question what we base our perception of a good holiday on, what expectations we convey to children, and why we associate the need for rest with the desire to be seen by others.'
Prof. Süleymanlı stated that families should show children that holidays are not just about hotels, the sea, or international travel; but that time spent together, short trips, contact with nature, visiting relatives, books, sports, and cultural activities are also valuable, and emphasized the importance of local governments and relevant institutions offering more accessible social opportunities, summer schools, camps, and cultural events during the summer months.
Prof. Süleymanlı concluded by saying, 'It is necessary to show children not just where they went, but how time was spent together. The most meaningful holiday does not always begin in luxury hotels, distant holiday resorts, or in the most liked photos on social media. Sometimes the best holiday begins where the family spends time together, children feel valued, and one can truly breathe.'
