Third+Culture+Kids,+Ch1-2

After reviewing the definition of a TCK provided, we disagree with the the idea that "the sense of belonging is in relationship to others of similar background". This implies that TCK's can only feel as if they fit in with other TCKs in an international environment. one of the main impacts and benefits of being a TCK is the ability to establish connections with individuals of a different background, which includes non-TCK. Being a TCk does not exclude them from feeling a connection to certain cultures.

**I agree. Whose post is this??**
"builds relationships to all of the cultures, while not having ownership in any" This may be true, but the implication in that this is a negative impact, whereas having an understand of multiple cultures is beneficial. this is also not unique to TCKs as all individuals have struggles to build identity.

Agreed! I think it is all in the way parents and teachers present the situation to the children. Being a TCK is, in almost all ways, a positive experience with countless benefits. The "downside", if there be one, is minimal UNLESS one has a parent with a negative experience in the third culture. In our school, I feel like I can usually sense the parents' attitude about being in the new culture based upon the attitudes the kids present. The book addresses this topic, as well. -Lori Qian ====Yes Lori that's a very good point you make about parents' attitudes. I'll be interested in more from you about how you believe the book is skewed towards the negative impact of being a TCK. Karen ====

====

==== ====I'd like to reply to the first post, the individuals that didn't agree with Pollock and Van Reken on part of the TCK defininion. Know that I initially struggled with the definition proposed for some days. But with greater reflection, and further reading, I have came to believe that those who share "spending some significant portion of their developmental years in a country not of their own passport" do in fact share a common culture. And that common culture is entrenched more deeply than just a common experience. Proving this is not easy, as anectdotes can support and counter the position. But suffice it to say for now that upon full reading of the book, I walked away convinced that the shared TCK common denominator is real, and strong. ====