Op I had a similar question but for different reasons (breastfeeding got me thinking about the nature if milk, and why we drink cows milk when no other species does the same.) A resource on breastfeeding that I trust ( www.kellymom.com ) had this to say:
Cow’s milk is really just a convenient source of calcium, protein, fats, vitamin D, etc. – it’s not required. There are many people in many parts of the world who do not drink milk and still manage to get all the calcium, protein, fats, vitamin D, etc. that they need.
Good non-dairy sources of protein include meats, fish, peas & beans (chick peas, lentils, baked beans, etc.), tofu and other soy products, boiled eggs, peanut and other nut butters (if your child is not allergic).
Good non-dairy sources of fats include soy and safflower oils, flax seed and flax seed oil, walnuts, fish and fish oils, avocado. Adding fats to cooking and baking can work well, for example, stir fry in safflower oil or make mini-muffins with soy or rice milk, oil or butter, and eggs.
Calcium may be derived from many nondairy sources.
Vitamin D can be supplied by sunlight exposure and food sources.
A traditional Turkish diet would more than fulfil those Nutritional requirements, so perhaps that's why milk is not pushed in the same way it is over here. Id be very interested to hear from other cultures on this.