Track 26

Unit 2b.

Anthropology.

Third culture kids.

Page 37.

Extend the topic.

Part C.

Dr. Paul first of all when did you start to study TCKs?

Well we started about 20 years ago so we now have a lot of information.

Okay so what are some of the most important things you learned in your study?

First we know that many adult TCKs are doing just fine, many of them are living happily and using their international experience in professions such as medicine, education, business, journalism, and politics. These are positions in which these adult TCKs meet people from many different cultures.

Are there adult TCKs who were not doing as well?

Yes of course some adult TCKs are angry because they feel like they missed a lot of childhood experiences, you know like going to movies, concerts or other things that kids in their own cultures did.

Do you mean they feel like they missed something as kids?

Aha. Some feel that way and some adult TCKs talk about being angry at their parents for that reason and for making them move away. We also found that some adult TCKs don’t really want to get married.

Why is that?

Well some feel that they lost their childhood friends and they are afraid of losing their husband or wife too.

What happens to these people?

Well we found that when they start to think about these feelings and talk about them they become happier and more comfortable with themselves and others.

Very interesting Dr. Paul well it looks like we’re out of time.