Turkey is definitely a great place to have a baby with the universal healthcare

system and 16 month maternity leave. The newborn mortality rate in Turkey is 2.8 while
the average age of a first time mother is 24.5 and fertility rate has been increasing since
2002. Turkish society values maternal mental wellness throughout pregnancy and many
Turkish women stop working once they become pregnant and will move in with their
mothers shortly before their baby is born in order to receive well care from their family
members. All new mothers receive a baby box, which is designed to give all babies an
equal start in life. Due to fear of a shrinking population, in 2005, Turkey began paying
women a “mother’s salary” and giving fathers three months leave with an extra three
months that can be taken at any time during the baby's first 18 months.
1) Is there as much support for fathers as far mothers? Should there be?
Yes, there is enough support for both parents with a slightly difference. As the mothers
are the ones who supposed to receive more support, the government tend to give them
what they are needed including maternity leaves, health-check without fees and baby
boxes which is given per month during the babies’ first 6 months. For the fathers, they
just receive maternity leaves.
2) Are facilities provided for by the government? Or are they private? What facilities are
there for poorer people?
All the facilities are provided by the government. There is not much differences between
the service you receive from the state and the private hospitals. The only difference is
that private hospitals allow you to stay in the hospital for two weeks if you fancy to do
so, while you are not allowed to stay more than one week in state hospitals in order to
make room for other pregnant women.
When it comes to poorer people, the government makes a great deal with those people
whose minimum wage is lower 2500 TL (around 800$) by putting them on a salary
which is differs due to the number of family members. And if they have more than 5
children, the government cancel their obligation of paying for the bills and make them
receive victualing every month.
3) What are the risks for smaller children?
Turks adore children and they are part and parcel of everyday life. This genuine and
love of children has led Turkey to become one of the most family friendly countries in
the world. There are lots of local playgrounds which are designed suitable for all ages.
Even though they are built with the proper equipments and surface, they do not prevent
them from injuries. They can be hurt while they are running around or jumping from the
high equipments as they are not supposed to do so. Although playgrounds are built in
the best way for children, as long as they are near the highways it can be said that there
is a risk for children to cross the fences up and pull out to the road where they can be
injured.
4) a. Have attitudes changed? If so, how? Is it better or worse?
Yeah, as having kids had become Turkish people’s main aim in recent years, attitudes
towards the children has changed a lot. Nowadays, with the power of money and high
living, parents tend to do whatever their children demand for and give them a luxurious
life. Children expected to behave well and be successful in return of their parents’
effort. Parents used to ignore their children as they believed that children are not
supposed to barge in their elders’ work, but not anymore.
Parents do not stand on their dignity so much nowadays, either. As a result, parents
and children are closer to each other than ever before which is better.
b. Do younger adults see their children differently from older people?
Yeah, since there are generation gaps between them, they have different values and
they think differently. When it comes to children, Turkish young parents see their
children as consignments that they have to rise them up well while older ones see them
as their heirs who are supposed to bear their family name.
5) If attitudes have changed, why do you think this is? Is it for the better or the worse?
By the early 20th century, in the wake of child labor laws and declining rates of child
mortality, the value of children started changing. Nowadays, even governments
encourage the people to rise their children in a proper way and do what is needed to
make them well-educated as public is children centered and they are seen as the future
of the country. Another reason is, time. Since we all are able to know what the best
thing is for us through books, internet and so on, most people are lightening up and give
up on their old believes which are totally different from what we believe right now.

EF15D050
Bushra Eskil
 A CHILDHOOD MEMORY OF MINE

It was the day before the first day of high school. I was on my way to train station to go
to my dormitory which was in other city when everything went wrong. We got stuck in
the middle of the traffic for almost an hour and finally when we were freed from the
traffic jam, my dad got an urgent call from his colleague and had to go somewhere else.
As no one else knew how to drive, others had to leave me in order to go with my dad. I
tried to grab a taxi but could not get a one. Then I walked all the way to the bus station
which took me a half hour and got on a bus. I had 12 minutes to catch the last train
which was going to the destination that I was supposed to go. I was too worried and
busy with carrying my stuff so checking the time just slipped my mind. As soon as I got
off the bus, I got my ticket and ran towards the first train I saw. I was so relieved and
happy because I managed to catch the train! At least I thought so. The train was about
to depart, with the hand of someone else, suddenly I found myself in the train. After that,
while I was tying my laces with a chilled out smile on my face, I eavesdropped on a
couple’s conversation and then it hit me! I was on the wrong train and was going to
somewhere else that I do not know. Suddenly I felt a high fear in my heart and did not
know what to do. Time was not early enough so even if I reached the final destination, I
would not be able to return before getting dark. The only way was catching the other
train, but nothing else. So I plucked up my courage and jumped out of the train with my
suitcase without thinking for a second. I was lucky, I landed on my both feet but I could
not find my balance and fell into railway. Thankfully, I did not lose my consciousness, I
was aware of what was going on. I lied down there until people gather around me. They
helped me and took care of me well as I was not able to walk properly. I tried to contact
my parents but could not reach them. After some time, I received a voice message from
my dad, he was saying that he saw my call but could not answer it because there was a
notice about a teenage girl who committed suicide by jumping out of a train and he had
to deal with it first. Then, he was going to call me right away. It took me 2-3 minutes to
figure out what was happening, and finally I realized what he was talking about, I started
laughing! People were staring at me like I had gone mad. I just cannot forget that day!

EF15D050
Buhsra Eskil