Kinship Care Experiences of Syrian Migrant Families in Türkiye: A Qualitative Inquiry

ABSTRACT Among Syrian migrants who have settled in Türkiye through mass migration, informal kinship care remains insufficiently clear due to gaps in registration and regulatory frameworks stemming from religious and cultural factors. This study expands the literature on informal kinship care among migrant families. The reasons for caregiving include religious obligations, traditional values, maternal instinct and social expectations. The challenges of caregiving, on the other hand, include economic difficulties, inability to cope with children's traumas, emotional burdens and negative attitudes toward the social environment. Nonetheless, caregiving offers emotional, social and resilience‐enhancing benefits. Families have needs such as economic support, professional assistance, social acceptance and access to quality education and vocational opportunities for their children's future. Although informal kinship care has positive outcomes, addressing critical areas such as family/child registration, legal regulations, family education and support from public and civil society organizations is essential for ensuring child welfare.