The second of the Focus Group Meetings organized by BEKAM was held at Bülbülzade Foundation. At the meeting, where Prof. Dr. Ahmet Ayhan Koyuncu was the guest, the topic “Being a Family in the Metropolis” was discussed.

The Science, Education, Culture Research Center (BEKAM) continues its Focus Group Meetings series, in which it addresses social issues in depth. Following the first meeting held in February, the second session took place in the Bülbülzade Foundation Meeting Hall. The program, moderated by Enes Günaslan, hosted Prof. Dr. Ahmet Ayhan Koyuncu. In the event organized under the title “Being a Family in the Metropolis,” the transformative effects of modern urban life on family structure were conveyed to the audience through a comprehensive analysis.

SPACE, POVERTY AND NEW FAMILY TYPES

In his presentation, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Ayhan Koyuncu grouped the main dynamics shaping today’s family structure under three main headings. Focusing on the “Space and Poverty Equation” that has emerged with urbanization, Koyuncu explained how the physical environment is reflected in intra-family relations. Stating that the cultural industry trends brought by the digital age surround the family, Koyuncu emphasized that this situation weakens traditional ties. In the final part of the presentation, current data on “New Family Types” developing outside classical family forms were shared.

HOW DOES HOME ARCHITECTURE AFFECT THE FAMILY?

Within the context of the relationship between space and family, the meeting detailed how changing home architecture transforms the social fabric. It was emphasized that minimal and isolated housing, which has replaced the traditional large house structure, restricts intra-family communication through physical boundaries. While it was stated that economic concerns and poverty directly affect decisions to have children, it was expressed that the model of small families with fewer children has become widespread as a necessity. It was also discussed that single-parent families, which have emerged as a result of rising divorce rates as a sociological reality, have become one of the most sensitive units of modern society that need support.

A FUTURE RISK

In the final section, where new family types were addressed, attention was drawn to how technological developments are pushing boundaries. With artificial intelligence and robotic technologies reaching the level of emotional partnership, the phenomenon of “marriage with robots,” which has begun to be seen worldwide, was opened to discussion. It was predicted that human-machine interaction has the potential to radically transform the concept of family, and that in the future, digitally-based family structures independent of biological ties will become one of the main agenda items of society.

BEKAM will continue to bring together theoretical knowledge in the field of social sciences with current societal issues through its Focus Group Meetings.