Third Culture Kids
The TCK Context: Bred Cross-Culturally,
Raised on an Airplane.
Broad defintion
Shorthand version,
A TCK is person who was raised in both:
1. a genuinely cross-culturally settings
2. Highly mobile,
3. often always in a state of cultural and geographical flux
EX
Kids of expats, or:
ambassadors, International government arms,
military,
NGO's
International Businessmen,
Missionaries
...etc
the 3rd in Third Culture Kids
Children leave their "home nation" and live in a host nation for
a time. however, by nature of parents work, they continually
move back and forth between cultures.
They never fully integrate into their host culture, nor do they
fully identify or integrate with their home culture.
They don't really fit in any culture
So they thereby create their own special and unique "Third"
culture.
This 3rd culture is mirrored in several ways.
They look like they belong in any culture they live in- but aren't
The first it their unique ability to "code switch" between cultures
comfortably.
But TCKs actually rarely feel that they have a home
They often feel culturally and geographically homeless
The closest relationships TCKs often have are with each other
In fact, TCK studies show that, aside from family, TCKs feel
closer to each other more than anyone from their own "home"
country.
TCKs have unique bond with eachother based on shared
Central Paradox reasons
"Central Paradox" - look like at home, never feel at home
Relationships Are the home.
The Lena - model
DMIS Profile - & personality.
1-5 cultural profile, 1=ethnocentric AND 4/5=ethnorelative
Lena scored both extremes ...Theoretically impossible!!
TCK culture: bubble culture
International high school
Emphasize cultural similarities over differences =
Challenges
CULTURE - Stress
MOBILITY - Stress
Therefore,
Personal identity development,
heritage, cultural connection,
Relationships,
Social abilities,
Family, Family ID
Repatriation
AWESOMEnes..(s) plural
TCKs possess an incredible array of International experiences and
deep cultural understandings.
Because of their ability to understand different perceptions (having
many themselves) TCK’s are often very adept at cultural bridge
building or mediating.
They score higher in personality tests in cultural Empathy and
Openmindedness, and Many are bilingual, sometime multilingual,
them highly valuable to any organization
Somewhat the new darlings of the international
community.
TCK are sought out for their cultural "code shifting," this is,
their comfortable ability to interact with or within different cultures.
Their cultural understanding, and multi-dimensional
perspectives make them very desirable to any organization that
interfaces between language and culture such as governments,
NGOs, journalists, or businesses.