Acculturation Strategies and Parenting Attitudes Among Belgian Turkish Immigrants

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the acculturation strategies and parenting attitudes of Turkish immigrants living in Belgium. Sociodemographic characteristics of the participants such as gender, age, and socio-economic status were also examined in this study. For the purpose of the study, a questionnaire consisting of demographic information form, Parent Attitude Scale and Acculturation Scale was administered to a total of 81 Turkish parents consisting of 56 women and 25 men living in Belgium. The data obtained from the questionnaire were used in validity and reliability analyses and correlational analyses. According to the findings, both scales were found to be valid and reliable measurement tools for Belgian Turkish immigrants. It was found that the integration acculturation strategy had a positive relationship with democratic parenting attitude and a negative relationship with authoritarian attitude, and assimilation acculturation strategy had a negative relationship with authoritarian and protective parenting attitudes. Additionally, it was seen that parenting attitudes showed differences across generations. The findings obtained in the study show that the acculturation strategies of Turks living in Europe show differences and these strategies are related to their parenting attitudes. The observation of intergenerational differences in parenting attitudes also confirms that immigrants' educational, economic and social-cultural characteristics are related to their child-rearing behavior.