TURKEY: Children and adolescents want to be treated as individuals, survey finds

Summary: According to a recent survey conducted in Turkey, children and adolescents want to be treated with respect in spite of their young age, and complained about the treatment they generally receive from adults, with a high percentage citing verbal outbursts and physical violence.

[28 February 2011] - A recent survey conducted by the Children’s Rights and Development Association of Turkey conducted among thousands of children and young adults has found that children in Turkey do not feel they are being treated as individuals. The percentage of those who complain about physical violence is also quite high, the survey finds. 

The poll was conducted ahead of the first Children’s Rights Congress, held in İstanbul over the past weekend, and included 4,000 students aged between 11 and 18, and 400 teachers in Turkish schools. It took the research team, led by Professor Cemil Öztürk and Seyhan Aydınlıgil, four months to complete the study.

According to the survey, children and teenagers are most upset by sudden outbursts of anger from parents or teachers (89 per cent), adults yelling at or hitting their child(ren) in front of others (80 per cent), insults from teachers and parents (80 per cent), warnings over dress code violations (80 per cent) and bans that limit their relationships with friends and their social activities (70 per cent). 

The survey also inquired what kind of treatment the young respondents would like to get from the adults around them. Most children and teenagers want adults to have a well-meaning approach toward them (80 per cent), avoid any kind of physical abuse (80 per cent), not yell at them in front of others (80 per cent), allow children and teenagers to speak for themselves (75 per cent), be calm and listen (75 per cent), respect young people’s decisions (75 per cent), share young people’s problems (75 per cent), respect their opinions (75 per cent) and stop telling young people to do their homework all the time (75 per cent). 

Ninety-five per cent of the respondents checked the survey option “They should treat me as a person, even though I may be young.” Ninety-five percent demanded trust and respect for their person.

In school and at home 80 per cent of the respondents complained of “behavior that might hurt one’s pride,” while 70 per cent said they were offended by the general adult mentality that young people don’t understand or know most things. Seventy per cent said they were annoyed by the general tendency of adults to get angry when directed with a question. 

The world’s first Children’s Rights Congress was organised by İstanbul University, the Social Services and Child Protection Agency (SHÇEK) and the Children’s Foundation. It brought together representatives from children’s councils from all 81 provinces.

Stating that the event was a first in the world, Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Şahin recalled the fact that the anniversary of the establishment of the Turkish Parliament was dedicated to children.

“All children, whatever their ethnicity, language or geographical location, are our children,” he said.

According to its organisers, the congress provided a platform for the expression of children’s needs and expectations, with a total of 118 child delegates and 113 adults presenting their views.

Further Information:

• More on children's rights in Turkey