Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Kültür Bakanlığı tarafından yayımlanan çocuk hikâyelerinde sevgi teması

Abstract

Bu çalışma, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Kültür Bakanlığı tarafından yayımlanan çocuk hikâyelerinin tematik bir analizini gerçekleştirmektedir. Araştırma, çocuk hikâyelerinin toplumsal ve kültürel değerleri nasıl yansıttığını ve bu değerlerin çocuklara hangi yollarla aktarıldığını incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Çalışma, çocuk edebiyatında tematik çeşitlilik ve eğitsel içeriklerin sınırlı incelenmesi sorununa yanıt vermek üzere tasarlanmıştır. Araştırmada, doküman analizi yöntemi benimsenmiştir. İnceleme kapsamında, Bakanlık tarafından yayımlanan 95 hikâye kitabında yer alan toplam 365 hikâye, yaş gruplarına göre sınıflandırılarak detaylı bir şekilde değerlendirilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgular, eserlerde olumlu temaların ağırlıklı olduğunu ve olumsuz temaların dahi çocuklara olumlu mesajlar iletecek şekilde işlendiğini ortaya koymaktadır. Sonuçlar, bu hikâyelerin çocuk edebiyatına zengin bir kültürel ve eğitsel katkı sunduğunu, aynı zamanda çocukların bireysel ve toplumsal gelişimlerinde önemli bir rol oynadığını göstermektedir. Çalışma, ebeveynler, öğretmenler ve araştırmacılar için bir referans niteliğinde olup, çocuk edebiyatı eserlerinin daha geniş kitlelere ulaştırılması ve eğitim süreçlerinde daha etkin kullanılması için öneriler sunmaktadır.This study examines the thematic content of children’s storybooks published by the Turkish Ministry of Culture between 1952 and 2002. The data for this research were gathered from various sources. Publications from 1952 to 1999 were listed in a comprehensive catalog of the Ministry’s works, while those from 1999 to 2002 were identified through the Ministry’s official website. The analysis revealed that the earliest children’s book in this collection was published in 1975, and the latest in 2002. Children’s books in these publications were released under different series, which lacked a unified or consistent categorization. Since the catalog did not specify the genres of the books, it became necessary to conduct a detailed examination to identify storybooks. Series with titles directly related to children’s literature were prioritized. These included Children’s Books, Illustrated Children’s Classics, Children’s Series, and others. A total of 95 storybooks were identified through this process for detailed analysis. Accessing these storybooks presented several challenges. Public libraries listed many of these books as “available for loan.” However, upon visiting the libraries, it was discovered that many books were either missing, unreturned, or removed from circulation due to damage. Despite these difficulties, a significant portion of the books was obtained from public libraries. Others were accessed through the National Library, though similar issues were encountered there. For books that could not be located in libraries, purchasing them online became necessary to ensure a complete dataset. This study examines how the theme of love is portrayed in children’s storybooks published by the Turkish Ministry of Culture. Children's literature serves as a crucial medium for fostering emotional, cognitive, and social development, with the theme of love playing a central role in nurturing empathy, attachment, and compassion. Despite its significance, a comprehensive thematic analysis of love in children’s books published by the Ministry has been lacking in the literature. This study aims to address this gap by identifying different types of love presented in the narratives and analyzing their representation. The research was conducted using a descriptive content analysis method. The dataset consists of 367 children’s stories published by the Turkish Ministry of Culture. Through a systematic thematic classification, stories emphasizing love as a primary or secondary theme were identified. A total of 104 stories were determined to contain love as a dominant theme. The analysis categorized love into six main sub-themes: love for humans, love for family, love for animals, love for nature, love for life, love for one’s country, and love for books and reading. These sub-themes were examined in terms of how they were integrated into the plot, character relationships, and overall message of the stories. Findings indicate that love is one of the most frequently emphasized values in the selected children’s books. Characters exhibiting love and affection towards family members, friends, animals, and their environment were commonly depicted. Family relationships were particularly highlighted, with parental love, sibling bonds, and grandparental affection forming the core of many narratives. The study found that the portrayal of love was not limited to personal relationships but extended to broader themes such as national pride and an appreciation for literature. Love for animals emerged as the most prominent subtheme, appearing in 29 stories, followed by love for humans and nature. The findings suggest that these stories contribute significantly to children's emotional and social development by reinforcing positive behaviors and moral values. The depiction of love fosters a sense of belonging and security among young readers while also encouraging kindness and empathy. Moreover, the presence of love-related themes aligns with broader educational goals by promoting interpersonal connections, ethical behavior, and respect for living beings. This study provides valuable insights for parents, educators, and researchers by highlighting the role of children’s literature in instilling the value of love in young readers. It underscores the importance of selecting books that reinforce positive emotional growth and offers a reference for future studies exploring thematic content in children’s literature. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how love is conveyed in children’s stories and its potential impact on shaping children’s moral and social perspectives.