A Demographic Revolution: Maternity And Childcare Homes In The Early Republic Period (1925-1940)

Abstract

During the modernization process that started with the proclamation of the Republic, important reforms were carried out in the field of healthcare. The establishment of maternity and child care houses was among the health reforms undertaken in order to make the young generations healthy and strong, which would replace the decreasing population during and after the War of Independence, and thus to provide military, political, economic and social power. Maternity and child care houses, which were established to protect women and children’s health and were trying to be spread throughout Türkiye with the cooperation of municipalities and the state, were established to provide free pre- and post-natal examination and treatment services, and to meet the basic needs of the mother and child such as care and nutrition after birth. It also provided educational support to mothers on postpartum child care. These institutions, which shape the social identity of the state by providing free services to all women who apply to the institution without any discrimination, have been important in terms of aiming to ensure the general welfare of the society. This study titled “A Demographic Revolution: Maternity and Child Care Homes in the Republic Period (1925-1938)” focuses on the establishment and development of birth and child care homes and examines the contributions of birth and child care homes to public health. In the study, the social effects of the expansion of health services were evaluated by examining the numerical data and service capacities of these facilities. The data support the idea that these institutions, which facilitate access to health services, meet social needs to the maximum extent. Within the scope of the reforms carried out in the field of health, it is thought that the creation of these institutions constitutes an important dimension of the efforts to solve the problem of decreasing population. In this study, it is also emphasized that the efforts were made to provide staff for the maternity and childcare homes with healthcare personnel trained through various courses and seminars, and that the services provided by these institutions contributed to the general welfare of the society by improving the health conditions of women.

There is no study that would require the approval of the Ethical Committee in this article.

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