Intergenerational risk and safety in rural Turkey: a 5-year retrospective analysis of fatal tractor tragedies involving children under five
Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies, 2025 (ESCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2025
- Doi Numarası: 10.1080/17450128.2025.2569002
- Dergi Adı: Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, CAB Abstracts, Child Development & Adolescent Studies, CINAHL, Educational research abstracts (ERA), Psycinfo, Social services abstracts, Veterinary Science Database
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Agricultural safety, child fatalities, occupational health and safety, tractor incidents, vulnerable populations
- Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli Üniversitesi Adresli: Hayır
Özet
This study examines fatal tractor incidents involving children under the age of five in rural Turkey from 2018 to 2022. Focusing on incidents occurring off-highway in fields, gardens, and other agricultural settings, the research identified 109 fatal cases. Children in this age group are particularly vulnerable due to their physical immaturity, lack of supervision, and proximity to dangerous machinery. Most cases occur between May and October, peaking during afternoons when tractor use is highest. The leading causes of death include being crushed by moving or stationary tractors, falling from moving vehicles, and being trapped under tractors or their attachments. A key factor is the intergenerational transmission of risk-taking behaviors in farming, where outdated methods and cultural practices persist. The study stresses the need for preventive measures such as educating families, introducing regulatory reforms, and implementing technological safety improvements to protect children. These efforts can significantly reduce fatalities, creating a safer and more sustainable agricultural environment. The dangers faced by children in the agricultural sector are of great importance. The lack of research on this topic increases the significance of this study. This study will make a significant contribution to the literature in this field.