The challenges of third culture children: A life between worlds

The challenges of third culture children: A life between worlds

The world of expatriate families is full of challenges – especially for the children who are often referred to as “Third Culture Kids” (TCKs). Sophie Ménard, mother of five and experienced expat, talks about the joys and difficulties that come with nomadic parenthood in her podcast “French Expat”. Over the last 15 years she has lived in Scotland, Germany, Dubai and most recently France. In her story, she outlines the unique but also emotional hurdles that her children have to overcome when growing up in different cultures.  French Morning reports that…

For third culture children, growing up is often a formative, but not always easy, experience. They have to constantly reorient themselves, make new friends and cope in different schools and linguistic environments. Sophie emphasizes that these adjustments require emotional effort and often come with age-appropriate challenges such as tears in the evening and difficulty with transitions. The speed with which they move away from one place makes it difficult for them to develop a sense of belonging UFE describes....

The emotional challenges

As Sophie Ménard notes, it is primarily the emotional burden that young expatriates carry. They often have difficulty integrating into new social groups. Children who move between the ages of 10 and 12 in particular often feel the stress more, as they begin to identify as part of their peer group at this age. Examples such as Juliette, who has lived in four countries at the age of 13 and is now resistant to moving again, and Juan, who has difficulty making new friends in Costa Rica at the age of 15, illustrate this UFE highlights....

Research shows that the process of growing up takes place in an interplay of various cultural influences. And this is where the role of parents and social support becomes crucial. Parents can support their children by offering a listening ear and helping them make new social connections. This could be through talking to teachers or finding suitable leisure activities. The support of a psychologist, like Paula Vexlir, can also help reduce children's emotional stress as research shows....

Family adjustment and support in expat life

However, the challenge of adaptation affects not only the children, but the entire family. Studies show that the successful integration of expatriate families depends on the adaptation of all members. While the focus is often on the children, it is important not to neglect the parents and their psychosocial needs. Stressors such as job changes and cultural differences can affect family bonds. A strong sense of family unity and good communication skills are crucial for successful integration as can be read in the study....

The findings from the research also emphasize the need for preventative measures, such as training before emigration or family counseling, which can make it easier for families to adapt to the new life situation. The right network and support from like-minded people are often the key to success in overcoming the feeling of being uprooted.

One thing is certain: the challenges for “third culture children” are complex and extend across the entire spectrum of their lives. The emotional effort that parents and children have to make should not be underestimated. It remains to be hoped that in the future there will be even more awareness of the needs of these children in order to enable them to develop positively in the extraordinary reality of their lives.