Raising Children the Yörük Way: Traditional Practices and the Pressures of Modernization in Türkiye

Background: This study examines how the Yörük community in Türkiye balances the preservation of traditional childrearing practices with modernization and compulsory schooling. Context: The Yörüks, a historically nomadic Turkic people, possess a distinct cultural identity that centres around oral knowledge transmission, family-based education, and pastoral living. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological approach was used. Data Collection: In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 Yörük participants selected through purposive sampling. Results: Four core themes were identified: Yörük culture, expectations of children, childrearing practices, and perceptions of schooling. Tensions emerge between traditional responsibilities, gender roles, and modern schooling structures. Conclusions: The study shows that cultural dissonance with the national education system contributes to educational exclusion and identity tension among Yörük children. Theoretical Implications: This study challenges dominant educational paradigms that overlook minority epistemologies and underscores the need to incorporate pastoralist worldviews into inclusive education theory. Practical Implications: It calls for flexible, culturally responsive policies, such as mobile or seasonal schooling and culturally inclusive curricula. Research Implications: Future studies could focus on the longitudinal impacts of modernization on the educational outcomes of pastoral communities or conduct comparative studies with other nomadic groups.