The Changing Structure of the Family after Migration Movements in Turkey: An Analysis within the Framework of the Concept of Precaria

The dynamics of the current age are transforming society and the individual, and this transformation is most clearly manifested in the functions of social institutions. The family is one of the most important of these institutions and has undergone structural and functional changes in Turkey, particularly due to migration. Migration causes individuals to relocate, affecting them not only spatially, but also culturally, economically, and psychologically. This leads to the weakening of family ties and the redefinition of roles. This study discusses the impact of migration on the functions of the family institution in Turkey. During this transition, individuals gradually move away from the traditional family's role as a source of social solidarity and trust, leaving them alone to face the uncertainties of modern life. In this context, the concept of the 'precariat' provides a theoretical basis for analysing the economic and social uncertainties that migrants face, as well as the process of separation from the family. The study's main claim is that migration in Turkey not only involves population mobility but also triggers a social transformation that dissolves the traditional functions of the family. In the face of this transformation, Turkey's family policies are often short-term, reactive, and fragmented, providing insufficient coverage for migrant families. Therefore, this study aims to provide long-term, comprehensive social policy recommendations to protect and strengthen the family institution in the context of migration, precariousness, and a changing social value system.