Third Culture Kids, Revised Edition: The Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds » (Revised)

Nearly a decade ago, Third Culture Kids: The Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds introduced the concept of and has been the authority on the experiences of TCKs-children who grow up or spend a significant part of their childhood living abroad. Early on, TCKs were identified as the rototype citizen of the future. That future is now, as more and more children are growing up among worlds, creating a culturally rich and diverse world. Rich with real-life anecdotes, Third Culture Kids, Revised Edition examines the nature of the TCK experience and its effect on maturing, developing a sense of identity and adjusting to one's passport country upon return. For many third culture kids, this book will be their first opportunity to discover that they share a common heritage with countless others around the world. This expanded edition profiles the personal challenges that TCKs experience, from feelings of rootlessness and unresolved grief to struggles with maturity and identity. Highlighting dramatic changes brought about by instant communication and new mobility patterns, the new edition shows how the TCK experience is becoming increasingly common and valuable. The authors also expand the coverage to include cross-cultural kids, children of biracial or bicultural parents, immigrants and international adoptees-all of this bringing hidden diversity to our world and challengingour old notions of identity and home.

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction Ruth E. Van Reken xi

Part I Understanding the World of TCKs 1

1 Where Is Home? Erika's Story 3

2 Who Are "Third Culture Kids"? 13

3 Who Are "Cross-Cultural Kids? 27

4 Why a Cross-Cultural Childhood Matters 39

5 Why High Mobility Matters 63

Part II The TCK Profile 85

6 Benefits and Challenges 87

7 Personal Characteristics 99

8 Practical Skills 111

9 Rootlessness and Restlessness 123

10 Relational Patterns 131

11 Developmental Issues 141

12 Unresolved Grief 159

Part III Maximizing the Benefits 167

13 Building a Strong Foundation 169

14 Dealing with Transition 179

15 Meeting Educational Needs 195

16 Enjoying the Journey 217

17 Coming "Home": Reentry 225

18 How Sponsoring Organizations Can Help 239

19 It's Never Too Late 249

Epilogue Ruth E. Van Reken 267

Appendices

A Adult Third Culture Kids Survey Results 269

B Comparing Third Culture Kids and Kaigai/Kikoku-Shijos 279

Tribute: Remembering David C. Pollock, 1939-2004 Betty Lou Pollock 287

Notes 289

Resources For TCKs, ATCKs, and their Families 297

Index 301