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The term “Third Culture Kid” (TCK) was initially coined by Ruth Hill Useem in the 1950s, identifying a phenomenon that she observed in American children being raised in India. Hill noted that when children are raised in a culture or environment that is not their parents’, they develop a proverbial “third culture.” Dave Pollock, an American sociologist and author, describes them as “a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents’ culture. The TCK frequently builds relationships to all of the cultures, while not having full ownership in any.”
Growing up as a TCK does provide certain indisputable benefits. This is most often recognized in the ways that influences from multiple cultures can build a well-rounded worldview, given that it is not limited by the impositions of one society. According to the Foreign Service Youth Foundation, TCKs are also known to be more self-reliant and independent, with an ability to adapt to situations and circumstances quickly. A study by Celia Romero, a graduate clinical psychology student, on the influence of bilingualism in 112 children between ages seven and twelve indicated that a majority of TCKs speak more than one language, which correlates with improved executive function.
While the lives of TCKs are enriched by their range of experiences, there are also considerable drawbacks. Most easily blend into newly introduced cultures, but generally have a hard time identifying a single culture that they can belong to. This can create a sense of isolation and displacement. The lives of TCKs are characterized by frequent farewells and unsustainable relationships, often resulting in an inability to form deep or meaningful bonds with others. They are also prone to higher levels of anxiety and stress as a result of frequent upheavals in their lives. Additionally, because they are often transferring from one location to another, certain things that have been picked up in one culture may be seen as odd or inappropriate in another. Laura Yee, an ethnomusicology student and TCK that moved from Argentina to Singapore, said in an interview with PRIME that “in Argentina, it is customary to greet everyone with kisses on the cheek” but “Singaporeans do not greet each other in the same way, and she would almost kiss people when they hugged her.” Singaporeans viewed Yee as overly touchy and loud, despite the fact that she was only demonstrating behavior and norms that she had learned during her upbringing in Argentina. Differences in traditions and social norms can obstruct easy assimilation into a new environment, exacerbating the issue of feeling isolated.
Even so, there are organizations that aim to combat the negative facets of the TCK experience. More efforts are being made to provide a center of community for TCKs, like the nonprofit organization TCKidNOW, which have chapters all over the globe and center their focus around providing a sense of community and shared experiences for their members. Figures like Ulcca Joshi Hansen, a two-time TedX speaker, author, and self-proclaimed TCK, raise awareness of what they once faced as a kid. The internet as a whole has become a cornerstone in providing support for TCKs. Platforms like social media have allowed TCKs to connect and find solidarity among themselves.
