What is home? Growing up between cultures | Abeer Yusuf | TEDxTerryTalks

Summary

The speaker, a Third Culture Kid (TCK), explores the complexities of identity and belonging, highlighting the challenges faced by those who grow up between cultures. Through personal anecdotes, the speaker delves into the concept of TCKs—individuals born in one culture but raised in another—and their struggle to define home. The narrative touches on the difficulties of cultural adaptation, relationship commitments, and the impact of globalization on personal identity. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding one's identity in a globalized world, raising questions about the future of identity in an interconnected society.

Takeaways

• 😀 TCK (Third Culture Kid) refers to someone born in one country but raised in another, resulting in a unique blend of cultural experiences.
• 😀 The 'three cultures' concept includes the culture of the parents, the culture of the place they grew up in, and the culture they create by merging the first two.
• 😀 TCKs often experience a constant identity crisis, struggling with the question of 'where is home?' and feeling a sense of displacement.
• 😀 A TCK's identity is shaped by their upbringing, but they may feel disconnected from both their first and second cultures, often leading to confusion about their place in the world.
• 😀 Globalization and TCKs are intertwined; TCKs represent a growing global citizenry that embodies the shifting dynamics of an interconnected world.
• 😀 TCKs are often seen as ideal candidates for navigating a globalized world due to their cultural sensitivity, adaptability, and understanding of diverse perspectives.
• 😀 The experience of being a TCK includes frequent travel, a wealth of cultural knowledge, but also challenges such as difficulty in committing to relationships and settling down.
• 😀 Despite the advantages, TCKs may face challenges in the job market due to their lack of local context and perceived stability compared to people from a single culture.
• 😀 TCKs face conflicting views on where home is, with some identifying with their first culture, some with their second, and others feeling like they don’t belong anywhere.
• 😀 The idea of 'expected repatriation'—the expectation that TCKs will eventually return to their parents' home culture—adds complexity to the concept of 'home' and further challenges TCKs' sense of identity.

Q & A

What is a Third Culture Kid (TCK)?

A Third Culture Kid (TCK) is someone who is born in one country but raised in another. They navigate between different cultural influences, creating a unique third culture resulting from their exposure to both their parents' culture and the culture of the country they grew up in.

Why is the term 'Third Culture' used? What does it refer to?

The term 'Third Culture' refers to the unique culture that emerges from the combination of the culture of one's parents (first culture) and the culture of the country where one grows up (second culture). The third culture is a result of navigating both and creating a new identity.

What is 'expected repatriation' and why does it matter for TCKs?

'Expected repatriation' refers to the expectation that TCKs will eventually return to the country of their parents' origin, known as their first culture. This expectation impacts how they view their identity and the concept of 'home,' often creating tension between their second and first cultures.

What challenges do TCKs face when it comes to identity and belonging?

TCKs often struggle with not feeling fully at home in any one place. They experience an identity crisis when asked where they are from, as they have multiple cultural influences but don't fully identify with any single one. This sense of not belonging can affect their emotional well-being.

How does globalization relate to the experiences of TCKs?

Globalization contributes to the experiences of TCKs by making them more mobile and culturally sensitive. They often experience multiple cultures and have a global perspective. However, globalization can also contribute to the feeling of instability and the challenge of finding a stable identity.

What are some benefits that TCKs gain from their unique cultural experiences?

TCKs gain cultural sensitivity, an understanding of different customs, and a broader perspective on the world. They often become skilled at navigating cultural differences and forming connections with people from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, they develop a thirst for travel and learning about different cultures.

What is a common downside of being a TCK in terms of relationships?

A common downside is difficulty committing to relationships. TCKs often struggle to form long-term attachments because they expect to move every few years, leading them to avoid deep emotional investments.

How does being a TCK affect a person's career prospects?

TCKs may face challenges in career development as they lack a strong local identity. Employers often prefer candidates with deep local knowledge, understanding of the history, and socio-economic context of the region. TCKs may not have the same level of local context, putting them at a disadvantage in job interviews.

How do TCKs reconcile the feeling of being from multiple places?

TCKs reconcile their multiple cultural backgrounds in different ways. Some identify with their second culture, while others feel connected to their first culture, even if they have never lived there. Some may feel they have no true 'home,' while others find home in the people they are with or their current location.

Why does the speaker say being a TCK is like having 'privileged statelessness'?

Being a TCK is described as 'privileged statelessness' because, while TCKs have the opportunity to experience multiple cultures and gain valuable global insights, they also face the challenge of never truly feeling at home anywhere, leading to an ongoing sense of rootlessness and disconnection.