Turkish Single-Mother Families in Germany: Support Systems and Acculturation Orientations

Turkish diaspora families in Europe maintain strong family structures and intergenerational ties, which facilitate the transmission of cultural values to future generations. However, they are not immune to the broader transformations and challenges reshaping family life worldwide. This study aims to examine the impact of family transformation on the Turkish diaspora in Germany, with a particular focus on single-mother households. Based on qualitative interviews with fifteen Turkish immigrant women who became single parents due to divorce, the study identifies the key challenges and needs of these families and analyzes the support systems they engage with to address them. Findings show that single mothers primarily require guidance, housing, and educational support for their children. They initially rely on immediate social networks and later on Turkish community networks and associations, yet this process often produces feelings of exclusion and unmet expectations. In contrast, German institutions and society are evaluated more positively due to their respect for individual boundaries and the support they provide.These experiences play an important role in shaping women’s acculturation orientations in child-rearing practices.