Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Founding Rector of Üsküdar University, attended the opening program of the “Family University”, launched in cooperation with the Ministry of Family and Social Services, Boğaziçi University, and Başakşehir Municipality within the scope of ‘Family Year’, as a special guest speaker. Tarhan emphasized that this project would be very beneficial with the declaration of the Family Year, and underlined the necessity of adopting a holistic family policy. Tarhan noted that there is an invisible family insurance in Turkish society and stressed that this cultural structure should be protected.
The program took place at the Boğaziçi University South Campus Rectorate Conference Hall.
At the opening of the program, which aims to strengthen the family institution as the basic building block of society, Deputy Minister of Family and Social Services Leman Yenigün, Başakşehir Mayor Yasin Kartoğlu, Boğaziçi University Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Naci İnci, academics and many distinguished guests attended.
“I congratulate everyone who contributed”
Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, emphasizing the importance of declaring the Family Year, started his words by saying; “The concept of 'Family University' came at a very opportune time, precisely when we are focusing on the 'Family Year'. The declaration of the Family Year, the President's emphasis and prioritization of this issue, and the drawing of attention to this area have truly been very striking. We also see its reflections in society. Indicators such as decreasing fertility rates, increasing divorces, and rising household fragility reveal an alarm and a crisis here. There is a bleeding wound. The most important thing in solving this is for non-governmental organizations, universities, municipalities, governorates, and the state to coordinate this process and act together. Because the social dimension of this issue is very strong. Therefore, I congratulate everyone who put forward the concept of 'Family University' and contributed to it.”
“In 2019, we launched a project called ‘Families at University’”
Tarhan, explaining the 'Families at University' project launched in 2019 by Üsküdar University and NPİSTANBUL Hastanesi, stated that they achieved significant success and outcomes with the project. Tarhan said; “At that time, the District Governorates of Pendik and Üsküdar from the Anatolian side, and Gaziosmanpaşa and Eyüp from the European side, were included in the project. Our Governor was Mr. Ali Yerlikaya. We launched the project, and our Governor strongly supported it. We turned this project into a book and published it. It is among the university's publications; you can access it there. With this project, 'Families at University', we reached over a thousand people. Later, Gaziantep Municipality and our Minister Fatma Şahin adopted the project and started implementing it in Gaziantep. We provided trainer training there. They have now established a Family Academy in Gaziantep. In this context, they are trying to solve many problems more easily by implementing spiritual counseling, legal counseling, and mediation systems.”
“We aim to protect the family at different levels”
Tarhan, speaking about the stages of family protection, said; “Primary protection covers preventive practices such as lifestyle education for the upbringing of healthy individuals. Positive psychology approaches, which are gaining widespread acceptance globally, are also included in this. This approach aims to overcome problems by emphasizing the positive in communication and strengthening positive aspects rather than negative ones. In other words, it focuses on the protection of healthy individuals. Secondary protection includes support programs for families in risk groups, especially those who have experienced violence or crisis. In the tertiary protection stage, rehabilitation comes into play. With the work carried out within this general framework, we aim to protect the family at different levels.”
“The weakening of the family is a global problem!”
Tarhan, speaking about the factors that weaken the family institution, said; “Today, the situations that weaken the family are not unique to Turkey but are a global problem. The crisis experienced by the family institution is manifesting itself all over the world. One of the reasons for this is secularism. That is, worldliness as a lifestyle. Philosophically, secularization weakens conscientious responsibility and makes individuals selfish. Individuals estranged from religious and spiritual values begin to see the family as a burden. The mindset of 'Why should I get married, I'll live my life.' is a reflection of this thought. Unfortunately, this approach has now become global. When you look at the statistics, you can clearly see the results of this. The second factor is social anomie. That is, the weakening of social norms in society. In the past, there was neighborhood pressure, group control, social control mechanisms. These are no longer present. The family has become the last refuge. And that refuge always has an open door: the digital world. Thanks to the internet, all kinds of external influences enter the home. The family has ceased to be a safe space. Thirdly, individualism. Today, the individual, not the family, is considered sacred. There is an invisible social virus. This virus is narcissism. A society is being built with individuals whose egos are inflated under the guise of individualism. This global narcissism is one of the invisible but strongest reasons for the disintegration of the family institution.”
“A holistic family policy is needed”
Tarhan, emphasizing the increasing household fragility, continued his words by saying; “When you look at the statistics in Turkey between 2001 and 2018, you see that the number of single-person households is rapidly increasing, while the number of 5-person households is rapidly decreasing. This situation is linked to the decline in fertility rates. We have now clearly started to see the consequences of this process. The fundamental problem here is the increasing household fragility. For example, out-of-wedlock birth rates are 54 percent in Norway, 56 percent in Sweden, 44 percent in Finland, 59 percent in France, 69 percent in Iceland, 36 percent in Ireland, 47 percent in England, 35 percent in Japan, and 2.9 percent in Turkey. This is a very striking picture. Especially in Scandinavian countries, there are baby boxes. Babies are left in an invisible box in front of hospitals or social institutions, not like children left in front of mosques. It is not known who left them or who took them. The state takes those children and raises them. There are countries where these rates exceed 50 percent. If we don't take precautions, we could be like them in 20 years. That's why the 'Family Year' initiative was so important. If precautions are not taken today, we will face similar problems. The solution to this is to take health measures. The Ministry of Health needs to take steps regarding the physical and mental health of children. Another is housing measures. The housing and social support efforts of the Ministry of Family and Social Services are of great importance. Looking at it, Turkey is still in a fortunate position. However, a holistic family policy is needed to protect and strengthen this situation.”
“We have an invisible family insurance”
Tarhan, stating that Turkish society has a solidarity network, said; “Currently, we actually have an invisible family insurance. A solidarity network established within society itself. In a crisis or economic hardship, uncles, aunts (paternal and maternal), cousins, everyone comes together and supports each other. This social solidarity network is still a great advantage for Turkey. If we can protect this cultural structure, we are still fortunate regarding family. Here, cultural transmission is epigenetic, not genetic. Matching in marriage might be genetic, but marriage is a cultural learning. So is being a family. You learn and transmit the behaviors you see from your mother and father. As long as this learning continues, family ties also continue. However, if learning stops, this transmission weakens after two or three generations. Values gradually fade away. That's why morality is epigenetic, not genetic. It needs to be taught. If we don't teach our children values, family ties, and solidarity, it won't be enough to just say 'Our family is strong' based on the past. In that case, we cannot hold our heads high.”
“Empathy training should be at the very core of the solution”
Tarhan, stating that narcissists weaken the family structure, said; “We always attribute problems within the family to external factors, but the real issue starts from within. As the number of individuals with inflated egos who place themselves at the center of everything increases in society, the family structure weakens. Because the biggest deficiency of narcissistic individuals is a lack of empathy. Therefore, empathy training should be at the very core of the solution. Empathy training enables individuals to recognize the emotions and needs of others. This, in turn, contributes to the development of emotional literacy over time. What is most needed within the family is empathy. Put all evils in a room; a lack of empathy opens its door. Someone lacking empathy is merciless, selfish, and opportunistic. The increase of such people increases destructive behaviors and evil in society. Another important issue is intra-family democracy. There should be an environment in the family where criticism is possible. Freedom, participation, pluralism—these are not just societal concepts but should also be among the fundamental dynamics of the family. Empathy and democratic communication are fundamental elements that both strengthen family bonds and raise individuals in a healthy way.”
“Our society still has strong family ties!”
Tarhan, stating that equity and justice are important in the family, concluded his words by saying; “Democracy begins in the family. If we can implement it within the family, a sense of justice develops in individuals. This, in turn, reflects in every aspect of life. The story of Prophet Joseph (Hazreti Yusuf) is mostly read from the perspective of Prophet Joseph. However, if we look from the perspective of Prophet Jacob (Hazreti Yakup), because he loved Joseph so much, jealousy arose in his other brothers, which resulted in Joseph being thrown into the well. Here there is an injustice of love. This shows us that justice in love is extremely important in the family. Because where there is justice, there is trust, and where there is trust, there is peace. What needs to be paid attention to here is not just equality, but equity and justice. The understanding of equality offered by capitalism often creates a picture where everyone is poor under the same conditions. Similar situations can be seen in socialism. However, what is more suitable for human nature is an equitable and just order. If we can uphold these values within the family, children will grow up as healthy individuals. They will not detach from their families, will not leave home at the first opportunity, and will be more resilient to life. Our society still has strong family ties. Even if some of our roots are cut, we can still stand. Therefore, there is no need to be pessimistic. State policies are also developing and providing support in this direction. I particularly congratulate Boğaziçi University for bringing to life such a meaningful concept as ‘Family University’.”
