The caregiving practices of nomadic Yuruk Turkmen families for their children in terms of developmental well-being: an ecocultural perspective

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted in order to investigate the caregiving practices of nomadic Yuruk Turkmen (NYT) families for their children for developmental well-being in view of ecocultural theory perspective. The ethnography method was used in order to investigate the caregiving practices of NYT families in physical and social environment in detail. The sample consists of four NYT children and their family members who take part and responsibility in caregiving practices. As data collection tools observation, interview, ethnographic photographs, and the researcher’s diary were used. The findings indicate that the practices of sheltering, nutrition, sleeping, cleanliness, and health are shaped by factors such as nomadic life style, physical and social environment and livelihood sources. Children participate in production activities from an early age. They also take some responsibilities in the care of their siblings. Within environmental possibilities, care givers possess false caregiving practices although they carry out practical and effective ones.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Child well-being
• ethnography
• nomadic children
• ecocultural theory

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Çukurova Üniversitesi: [Grant Number SDK-2017-9776].

Notes on contributors

Mustafa Kale

Dr. Mustafa Kale is the assistant professor in the Child Development Department at Cag University. His research interests are family and child in the context of culture in early childhood, child development and education in ecocultural context, child welfare, sexual education and feminist pedagogy, ethnographic research.

Durmuş Aslan

Dr. Durmuş Aslan is the associate professor in the Early Childhood Education Department at Cukurova University. His research interests are socio-cognitive development in early childhood, child safety, science and math education in early childhood and teacher training.