Factors Affecting Children's Economic Value in Turkey: A Sociological Analysis of the 2016 Family Structure Research

Abstract

This study examines the factors affecting parents' economic (material) expectations from their children in Turkey through data from the 2016 Family Structure Research (2016 Aile Yapisi Arastormaso). the data analysis shows the level of economic contribution expected from children to be significantly lower for individuals from younger generations who have lived longer in an urban social environment, have fewer children, have higher education and socioeconomic statuses, and have adopted more secular attitudes compared to those from older generations who lived longer in rural settlements, have more children, have lower educational and socioeconomic statuses, and have more religious attitudes. the study indicates the financial benefits expected from children to decrease as a result of the egalitarian values that emerge in children and the increased importance given to children's autonomy, individual life, and success, especially for secular and tolerant individuals with higher socioeconomic and educational statuses.