Family Futures

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] 87

Strengthening family welfare and social

development: The Republic of Azerbaijan

Prof. Hijran Huseynova, Chair, State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan

dvancing

ocial

ntegration

and

ntergenerational

olidarity

amily is the first institution of society and one of

the oldest and most unique forms of communica-

tion. It is considered as a ‘little state’ that is the

core of society. The improvement of society depends on

the development of the family institution. Every nation,

including Azerbaijan, has its family model. Over the

centuries, the values of the Azerbaijani family model

have made it an exemplary social institution. The mental-

ity of the Azerbaijani nation includes varied and noble

characteristics such as hospitality, friendship, loyalty,

precision, respect to the elderly and parents, and toler-

ance. These moral norms and values are preserved in our

daily round, traditions and all genres of folklore, and

will be transmitted to our future generations.

Azerbaijan families are distinguished by their longevity and

strength, which comes from the national mentality. Warm

and sincere relations among family members, respect for

older members and the proper formation of parent-child

relations are major characteristics of the Azerbaijani family.

Our mothers bring up their children with national-moral

values from the day of birth. Families educating and bringing

up their children according to national customs and tradi-

tions constitute the welfare of our nation.

One of the expected features of Azeri masculinity is defer-

ence to a

saqqal (literally ‘the white beards’ or elderly men)

and a

birç

k (‘the white fringes/hairs’ or elderly women),

which are among the fundamental institutions of the Azeri

culture. This can be shown in the form of special attitudes

and etiquettes such as making way for elders and – most

important – listening to their advice in all aspects of life.

The existence of this institution plays an important role in

the formation of relations among families and the transmis-

sion of family values from generation to generation.

Azerbaijan is a multinational republic. Different nations,

national ethnic groups and national minorities live in

Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is distinguished by its tolerance and

its secure, comfortable and peaceful accommodation of people

A typical Azerbaijan family: the tradition of respecting elderly men and women plays an important role in building relationships

and transmitting family values from one generation to the next

Image: scfwa.gov.az