The Socio-Political Attitudes of the Youth in Turkey

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to examine the differences in the attitudes of the Turkish youth regarding political interest, religious commitment, social conformity, autonomy, support for national technologies, and trust in media and public institutions based on demographic factors including age, gender, education, social class, and marital status. The data were collected through a public opinion survey administered to 812 young people in Turkey, aged 15-29 years. A quota -random sampling method was used in the survey. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) resulted in the identification of 7 factors; patriotism, autonomy from family, trust in government/institutions, political interest, religious commitment, social conformity, and trust in the media. The data indicated a strong patriotic attitude among young people regarding domestic/national technologies. However, trust in the government/institutions and media was at a low level. Young people were seen to have a positive attitude towards social conformity and religious commitment, and more than half of the young people supported the pursuit of autonomy from family. The data indicated that young people have an emotional attachment to their country, but wish to move abroad, particularly due to a lack of trust in institutions and the pursuit of a better life.