Erdogan Frames Cultural Change as Threat to Family, Targets LGBTQ+ Movements

Summary:

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned that Türkiye’s family structure and moral values are under threat from what he described as global cultural pressures, explicitly singling out LGBTQ+ movements, digital addiction, gambling and social change as dangers to society. Speaking at a public event, Erdoğan called for a broad national mobilization involving the state, civil society and cultural figures to counter these trends.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Sunday delivered a speech portraying rapid social change, digitalization and global cultural influences as existential threats to Türkiye’s family structure and national values, intensifying his long-standing criticism of LGBTQ+ movements.

Quoting the medieval historian Ibn Khaldun, Erdoğan said past events often resemble future ones “more closely than water resembles water,” arguing that modern challenges mirror earlier civilizational struggles.

He described the current era as one in which technological progress and the rapid spread of information are reshaping culture, traditions and value systems at an unprecedented pace. While acknowledging the advantages of technology and digitalization, Erdoğan warned that they also bring new social risks.

“The family institution is under attack”

According to Erdoğan, what he termed “global cultural imperialism” is creating a chain of social decay extending from the individual to the family and, ultimately, society at large.

“We are facing challenges that threaten all humanity, from children to the elderly, including our 86 million citizens,” Erdoğan said. “These range from deviant movements such as LGBTQ+ ideologies to addiction, the erosion of privacy and direct attacks on the family institution.”

He argued that while the form of these threats has changed over time, their target remains the same: individuals, families, and Türkiye’s national and spiritual values.

Government measures and social mobilization

Erdoğan said the government has already taken steps at multiple levels to counter what he described as moral and social erosion. He cited measures aimed at combating illegal online betting and gambling, as well as policies designed to strengthen family life.

These include financial support for families with children and assistance programs for young people seeking to establish households. However, Erdoğan stressed that state action alone would not be sufficient.

“The fight against addiction, drugs, gambling and similar global threats cannot succeed if it is carried out only by the state,” he said, warning that failure to address these issues early could lead to deeper social crises in the future.

Call for unity across society

Erdoğan urged a collective response, calling on civil society organizations, media outlets, universities and political parties to support what he framed as a national struggle.

He criticized political actors for focusing on what he called trivial agendas instead of Türkiye’s pressing social problems, and appealed to athletes, artists and public figures to act as positive role models for young people.

“This wave of attacks targeting our youth and our future can only be repelled if we stand together, act together and fight together,” Erdoğan said.

PA Turkey intends to inform Turkey watchers with diverse views and opinions. Articles on our website may not necessarily represent the view of our editorial board or count as endorsement.

Follow our English YouTube channel (REAL TURKEY):
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKpFJB4GFiNkhmpVZQ_d9Rg

Twitter: @AtillaEng
Facebook: Real Turkey Channel – https://www.facebook.com/realturkeychannel/