Navigating parenthood in a new culture: The experiences of Syrian migrant families in Türkiye

Abstract

This qualitative study explores the parenting experiences of Syrian migrant families raising their children within a new sociocultural context. Based on individual and focus group interviews with 22 Syrian parents living in Türkiye, the data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. The findings reveal that Syrian migrant families’ child-rearing goals and practices are shaped by religious beliefs and collectivist values. The transformative effects of acculturation on parenting are seen in the reshaping of parents' conceptions of family size, increased involvement in childcare and education, and changes in traditional gender norms. The study also highlights the domain-specific nature of acculturation, demonstrating that adaptation does not occur uniformly across all life domains. Structural barriers, including legal insecurity, economic hardship, and experiences of exclusion, constrain integration, whereas diverse social networks facilitate their adaptation. Religion plays a dual role, fostering a sense of belonging through shared faith with the host society while sometimes limiting broader cultural adaptation and social cohesion.