Alman Çocuk Koruma Sisteminde Türkiyeli Ailelerin Kültür ve Göç Bağlamında Koruyucu Aile Olma Deneyimi

Abstract

This research addresses the experiences of Turkish foster families, who migrated to Germany as workforce in the 1960s. The data obtained in the study are titled under three categories: The foster family, institution, the child taken under protection and his/her biological family. The study aims to bring the history and the legal foundations of the German child protection system and the phenomenon of foster family to the Turkish literature. Sixteen foster families and two civilian contractors serving in the field of foster families in the states of Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia were included in the study, and qualitative data were obtained through in-depth interviews. The research findings indicate that the biggest reason for immigrant families to choose the tough experience of fostering is the desire to help people. The desire to protect religious and national identity is the second main motivation for families to be included in this system. The research shows the importance of multicultural practices in this model. It also reveals that taking into account such important concepts as migration, culture, identity and belonging, which are mostly associated with macro aspect of social work, creates positive changes in secure attachment, healthy personality development, and the formation of a sense of belonging in mezzo and micro level. The importance of the study is based on the fact that it reveals the main reason of the “fear and insecurity” perceptions of the immigrant families about Youth Offices. In addition, it has been observed that the opinions of the majority of Turkish foster families about Youth Offices are positive. According to these families, negative prejudices of Turkish families about Youth Offices stem from rumors. The data obtained from the interviewees reveal that Youth Offices generally aim to protect the best interests of the immigrant children while taking them under protection. However, it is also among the common views of the participants that some negative attitudes of the staff cannot be attributed to the entire institution. Although foster families generally get positive reactions from Turkish people, most Turkish families who are not foster families cannot dare to undertake this challenging task. Considering the differences of people from Turkey living in Germany, it seems that religious factors are important in not choosing to be a foster family.