May 30, 2018

Third Culture Kids by Bilal Ahmed- Summary&Respond- second ver.

    The author, Ahmed, first introduces to us the term TCK (third culture kids) with the origin of it and a more detailed definition. They adjust their identities to reflect the new society with parents, but not having full ownership in all of cultures they built relationships with.     
    Ahmed himself is a TCK. He is from a middle class family in which due to his parents’ job, they would relocate from time to time quite frequently to nations. He then emphasizes the difference between immigrants or refugees and TCKs. They both mix their original culture and the foreign culture into a personal third one yet differ in wealth. With the support of money from parents, TCKs are carefree of financial worries. Moreover, since TCKs have the background of flexibility on moving houses, they often take the advantages to become an easily-adaptable citizen. They don’t like fixity and rootedness.
    Last, the author argues that TCKs still have the strong connection with their family. In order not to act abnormally, TCKs must accept their special identities and make the direction for their happiness clearly. If not, the loss of giddiness would lead to weird behaviors.
    I think adding the author's own experience makes the special identity more understandable to us. For that I went through my childhood in many different places, the circumstances of the TCKs are at some degree similar to mine. My parents were busy working when I was little. Therefore, during day time then, I was taking care of by different relatives. I got used to switching growing up environment. That is, meanwhile I consider that also a training  to develop high ability of adaptability. Although I barely can remember those memories then, it definitely help me in some ways to grow up as a more independent individual. I am so graceful that my parent didn't just leave me behind. Instead, they are still showing love and cares to me.
    Now I learned more about TCKs. If I luckily bump into the opportunity to meet one of them, I would really like to ask them to share their colorful growing up stories with me. I shall share mine to them. The exchange of cultures and friendship isn't the magnificent beauty in the world?

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